Since his boyhood Sib Nath Sibu, from Tangail, plays Bangla Dhol, a traditional rhythm instrument having a distinctive sound effect.
Following the family tradition, Sibu started playing the instrument from his childhood at different rituals and ceremonies in the temples. Subsequently, he became a recognised instrumentalist through playing the instrument on state-run TVchannel Bangladesh Television and private channel ETV.
In fact, making and playing dhol is now a profession for Sib Nath Sibu.
The artiste is displaying his handmade dhols at the weeklong Craft Fair organised by Bangladesh National Museum at its Nalinikanta Bhattasali Auditorium. The fair will end today.
Born in 1966 in a small village of Tangail, Sib Nath Sibu took lessons on playing the instrument from his elder brother Bhajan Chandramoni Das.
Initially, he started playing the instrument in the temples during the pujas when he was only 12 years old.
For the past 25 years, Sibu has been making dhol in Tangail. ‘Making a Bangla dhol is a long and industrious process. It takes twenty days to one month to make a good one which sells in around taka 15000,’ informed Sib Nath Sibu.
Sibu usually uses wood from mango tree to make the body and goat skin for the sides.
Sibu first came to play for a BTV programme with noted traditional artiste Kangalini Sufia in an Eid programme. And it did not take him long to get acclaim from the urban audience.
‘Music is in my blood. So, I did not take much time to attract the urban audience with the rhythm of my dhol,’ said Sib Nath Sibu.
Though Sibu is a professional instrumentalist who performs at various programmes, he still misses his early days of playing dhol during pujas out of passion. ‘Playing at temples is not a professional thing, it was rather a ritualistic passion which is altogether different from professional engagements,’ said the artiste.
However, making and playing Bangla dhol is the point where his passion meets his profession for Sibu.
‘I have never thought of anything else. I was born with the Bangla dhol and would like to die happily with it,’ said a delighted Sib Nath Sibu.
Shib Nath has also represented the traditional instrument in different countries. He played the instrument with traditional musicians five times in England since 1991.
He has also performed in Germany, Italy, Russia, Canada and Bhutan and took part in the Setouchi International Art Festival in Japan this year.
-With New Age input
