Bangalore Thamate Vadhya Brindha

Our group is based over on Magadi Road, right near the PMC Road area. We’ve been playing the thamate for a long time now. It’s a loud, traditional sound that most people around here recognize instantly. We practice near the Gavetoli Mandir, in the Corporation Area 38. There are a few of us who get together whenever there is a local festival or a function. We aren't a big company or anything like that, just a collection of drummers who know the rhythms. You can usually find us practicing in the evenings when the air cools down a bit. The drums are heavy and we keep them in a small storage space nearby. It’s a noisy business, but it’s what we do. Neighbors don’t seem to mind too much since they grew up with the sound. Sometimes we travel to other parts of the city for events, but Magadi Road is home. We don't really have a manager or a secretary, just a phone number that gets passed around. If someone needs music for a celebration, they just come find us at the Mandir or give a call. It's hard work on the hands and shoulders, but we've been doing it since we were kids. It’s part of the life here in area 38. We keep the instruments tuned as best as we can, though they take a beating from the weather sometimes.