BJP Demands Practice Grounds for Dhol-Tasha Groups Ahead of Ganesh Festival in Pune
Pune, 16th July 2025: As the city prepares for the upcoming Ganesh festival, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has urged the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to provide temporary practice grounds for Dhol-Tasha troupes in the central areas of the city. These traditional percussion ensembles are an integral part of Maharashtra’s cultural heritage and play a vital role in the public Ganesh celebrations of Pune, which boast a legacy of over 125 years.
On Wednesday morning, a BJP delegation led by Pune city president Dheeraj Ghate met Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram to press the demand. A letter was submitted requesting that PMC-owned grounds in central Pune be made temporarily available for practice sessions.
“Ganeshotsav has now been granted the status of a state festival. In such a scenario, it is crucial that traditional Dhol-Tasha groups are given proper space to rehearse. Their performances are a highlight of the celebrations and require dedicated practice,” said Ghate.
He added that several Dhol-Tasha teams are struggling to find appropriate practice locations in the city’s core areas, which is affecting their preparations. The practice sessions are considered essential for ensuring synchronized and rhythmic performances during the festival processions.
PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram responded positively to the request and has issued instructions to the Estate and Sports departments to make suitable municipal grounds available to the groups.
“With this initiative, we hope this year’s Ganeshotsav will be celebrated with even more grandeur,” said Ghate.
Accompanying Ghate during the meeting were former corporators Ajay Khedekar, Bapu Mankar, Ravindra Salegaonkar, Puneet Joshi, Sunil Pande, Raju Pardeshi, along with Dhol-Tasha Mahasangh representatives Advocate Anish Padekar and Ketan Deshpande.
The BJP highlighted that the state government led by the BJP-Mahayuti alliance has consistently supported traditional festivals and cultural activities. This move aligns with the government’s decision to celebrate Ganeshotsav as a state festival starting this year.
ढोल ताशा पथकांना महानगरपालिकेने सरावासाठी जागा उपलब्ध करून द्यावी -धीरज घाटे
