SOCIETY

Noise pollution norms force closure of Kolkata wedding bands

     Kolkata: Traditional wedding bands, customary for Indian weddings, are facing slump in the business due to stringent noise pollution rules and changing social patterns. These bands had been charming everyone with their music - be it a marriage procession, a birthday bash or any other occasion since past 150 years. Hordes of people follow the band in a marriage as they wind their way down the streets, dancing and singing to tunes of Bollywood hits. Of late, these bands have become a rarity due to restrictions imposed by city police and administration, often at the directions of courts. As their performance blocks the narrow congested roads, they are often denied license to perform. "Government has issued a circular against us. Wherever we perform, police comes and arrests us. We are not allowed to perform. And the programme is concluded at that very moment. Our income has reduced with decrease in the number of performances," said Mohammad Anwar, proprietor of Calcutta Band. Anwar adds anyone who hires a band for weddings or any other occasion also faces harassment by the police, thus people are discouraged from booking the bands. Government apathy has led to the closure of about 70 bands in the city. Now just 30 bands exist in the dark alleys of the city, dying a slow death with little or no work. Pollution Control Board too has tried to curb their activity accusing them of creating massive noise pollution. Also, the fancy DJs and techno groups are eating into the share of their business. The bands demand that the administration should identify certain lanes and streets in the city where they could be allowed to perform. "Government should be more considerate towards us. If we cannot perform on the main roads, the administration should specify such roads which are not very much congested and allow us to perform on those roads. We should be issued licenses to perform on such roads," said Haider Ali, a band master. Now most of these bands perform at in-house parties where restrictions are less. Even with such a slide in the business, a handful of bandsmen are trying to survive fighting all odds. Most members are into bands part time as they earn meager wages and weddings are seasonal affairs which do not ensure regular income. Band members often rehearse sitting inside their dingy offices. These self-taught musicians can play anything from drum to saxophone to flute to keyboard.
-June 26, 2005

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