A DRUMMING group which gives a platform to young performers is setting its sights high as it aims to play at bigger festivals.
Slough-based Dhol Collective, run by Gurdev Lota, has recently performed to crowds at the LOVE Slough festival events, which was set up by HOME Slough.
The group performs professionally and also holds lessons for students who want to learn how to play the instrument.
And at the LOVE Slough festival, it saw some young artists perform in front of an audience for the first time.
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Gurdev, who has played dhol for 25 years, said: “HOME Slough has been absolutely fantastic at pushing us at these events, we’ve been able to collaborate with other creatives such as producer Stevoss, who supports young talented performers in giving them a platform.
“The aim of the group is to build confidence and togetherness in the students, it’s about creating a connection, starting to feel more confident, and then using your creativity to get through that confidence barrier.”
Gurdev explained dhol drumming is all about “energy and fun”.
“If you are creating your dhol, you’re creating rhythms and getting the audience to smile,” he said.
“We love to make music more multi-cultural by fusing it with other music styles.
“There’s so much great stuff in the community of Slough and if we all pull together and things to entertain people, the town will be more lively.”
Gurdev added his students loved performing at the LOVE Slough events over the past few weeks.
“It was really nice for the parents to see the kids up there and having fun,” he said.
“Sometimes they can get quite nervous before a performance but with all of us drumming together we create a nice safe environment.”
For the shows, the group was a mix of both the professional drummers and students.
Gurdev also expressed how much dhol has helped him over the years in having a positive mindset.
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He hopes that through his teaching at Dhol Collective, his passion for dhol will pass on to his students who are willing to learn the instrument.
And he’s now aiming high as he hopes one day the group will perform at Reading Festival.
He said: “We would love to play at Reading Festival one day, aiming big forces me to a be a bigger version of myself, and in some respect makes me a better person.
“As I show my students to aim high, it will hopefully inspired them to achieve want them want to achieve in the future.”
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