Election 2024 Sets Beat for Drums Beating Business in KP

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Peshawar: Local DJs and drumbeaters in KP experience a surge in business as electoral candidates and their supporters utilize their services to attract voters in the cold weather conditions.
Irshad Ali, a prominent DJ from Nowshera district, shared that their business has been thriving due to the ongoing election campaign, with earnings doubling compared to normal days
The DJ and drums beating business in Peshawar and Nowshera districts is booming as they receive heavy orders from different political parties for mobilizing voters during election campaigns and public meetings.
The hard work of these professionals has led to a significant increase in their earnings. Drummers and DJs energize political workers in public meetings and add enchantment to weddings and other festivals.
Despite the rise of social media and information technology, drumbeaters continue to thrive during elections, as well as at marriages, birthday parties, and other celebrated occasions in KP. The drummers and DJs gather at popular locations like Hashtnagri, Green Shadi Hall, and Tehkal, where they are hired for election and marriage functions.
Zulfiqar Khan, a drumbeater, regularly sits at Fakhar Alam Road’s square in Peshawar cantonment, where his services are hired for election rallies, marriages, and festivals. He expresses hope for maximum earnings during the 2024 election season, which has brought a boom to the DJ and drums beating business.
Some drummers who had left the profession due to rising prices have re-entered the field to take advantage of the business boom brought about by the election. The price of a dhol, along with beating plates, has increased from Rs24,000 to Rs40,000 in the past two years.
Drummers face economic challenges if their dhols get damaged, especially during the winter season or in hot weather conditions. Plastic beating plates imported from abroad are preferred for their durability.
Drummers are being preferred over DJs in local public meetings due to their cost-efficiency and the fact that they do not require expensive arrangements or electricity. The earnings of a dhol player depend on the financial position of the hiring party, ranging from Rs20,000 to Rs50,000 per program.
Traditional and non-professional drummers are also hired at Ghandhara and Hayatabad Chowk to add a traditional touch to election and wedding ceremonies.
The hope is that their business will continue to shine during the last week of the general elections. The use of drummers in election rallies is preferred by some for their affordability and suitability for both indoor and outdoor events. These drummers not only add color to election rallies but also promote culture in society.