For drummers Vasundhara Das and Roberto Narain, who steer the Community Drumjam at the Rangoli Metro Art Centre on M.G. Road once a month, this World Music Day — June 21 — would be extra special. The couple will be taking up their 25th community jamming on that day.
Drumjams see a get-together of nearly 500 people from all walks of life for a cultural bonhomie with beats. It is a joint initiative by Drumjam, the worldwide drum-circle movement and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) happening from two years.
Giving back to the city
“It’s a great feeling that we are able to give back something to the city that has given us so much,” says facilitator Vasundhara, who has been trained by the founder of Drumjam, Arthur Hull at Hawaii, along with her drummer-husband Roberto Narain.
Drumjams are unique to Bengaluru and the completion of Namma Metro stations had the BMRCL providing public spaces for music bands and art enthusiasts to come together for “connecting and interacting”. “Once we had three construction workers from Bihar who said they never imagined to be a part of this community unwind session with rhythm,” recalls Vasundhara.
“Vasundhara and Roberto transport nearly 250 drums to the Rangoli centre every month; that is the kind of public attraction the event has gained,” says U.A. Vasanth Rao, Chief Public Relations Officer, BMRCL. “In these two years, we have hardly seen any damage or loss to these instruments. We are happy to see a dignity in these community participation exercises,” he says.
