The sound of the ghumat, played mainly by East Indians in Mumbai, isn’t as popular as it once was. As its sales dwindle, one member from the community has been attempting to revive the percussion instrument through a band, while another has been gifting it to people as a mark of his culture
Sachin Pereira (right) playing at an East Indian-themed dinner in Mumbai. Photo Courtesy: Sachin Pereira
Vasai-based Ainsley Pereira’s earliest memory of the ghumat is of seeing his uncles play it when he was about 10. While he did not have access to the earthen percussion instrument then, he kept himself busy by drumming his fingers on buckets and other homemade equipment as any child would do at that age. However, Pereira’s fascination did not die out because as soon as he got the chance 10 years later, he purchased a ghumat for himself with his own money. The instrument has a way of doing that to people especially because of the hypnotic sound it produces. Its beats have the ability to make the listener raise one hand in the air, like the East Indians do, and swirl.
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