Ten-second Takeaway
Roberto Narain and Vasundhara Das facilitate a massive community drum circle once a month in the heart of town.
Beat it
It’s a Sunday afternoon, and one part of MG Road’s Rangoli Metro Art Centre is filled with giant concentric circles of plastic chairs. A rumble rises from the crowd. It isn’t perfectly in sync, but who cares. There’s a silly grin on most faces. And rightly so. The participants are having all the fun they can have. You’ve probably landed at the Community DrumJam, a monthly drum circle organised by DrumJam. Now over thirty editions down, the drum circles are facilitated by drummer Roberto Narain and singer Vasundhara Das, and a team of other facilitators. DrumJam also conduct on-demand workshops in corporate settings and for schools.
So what exactly happens at a drum circle?
Very simply, you drum, and you have a lot of fun. You needn’t be a pro drummer or even familiar with drumming to show up: facilitators will introduce you to your instrument, and you can play along at a pace that suits you. Drumjam also often conduct free workshops beforehand, should you wish to get a bit more familiar with the instrument {usually a djembe}. They provide the instruments, but you’re also welcome to bring along your own tambourines or other percussion instruments.
More than learning skills or correctness, the focus of these drum circles is often on fun, creativity, stress release, and building communication skills, as well as building a sense of community. It’s especially lovely to watch people from a range of backgrounds participate. You’re as likely to see an excited five-year-old on the djembe as a friendly elderly aunt or your neighbourhood kirana angadi owner. Others just show up and get their groove on by dancing. There’s room for everyone.
Where: Rangoli Metro Art Centre, MG Road Boulevard, beside MG Road Metro Station, MG Road
When: The next Community DrumJam is on November 29, between 4-6pm. A free djembe workshop will be held between 3-4pm.
Contact: +91 9886638911
Find them on Facebook here.
Check out their website here.
Featured image via DrumJam.