Riaz Hussain at Punjab Lok Rahs theater and dance festival 2014
People gathered in a big circle doing same movement, clapping together inside the circle then extending their right arm outside the circle and snapping fingers together. Clap and snap and clap and snap, clap and snap and one and two and one and two. But there is someone who is both controlling and suggesting the movement, yes inside this big circle there is a thin, tall man beating dhol with all his energy, emotions, passion and love: Riaz Hussain a very simple man in real life who will remain invisible and unnoticed in the big urban crowd otherwise, but with his dhol he is the most vigorous, most spirited, most charismatic, most happy and most present man. In his family, he tells that a child’s first toy is the stick that you play dhol with. He has been playing dhol for as long as he remembers he says dhol is like another limb or part of his body, it makes him whole.
People dancing around dhol Punjab Lok Rahs Festival 2014 NCA, Lahore
Riaz Hussain is a well known and well respected dhol player and Siraiki/Bhawlpuri Jhummer trainer in and around his area (Basti Haveli, Moza Channan-Bahawlpur). He performs on Melas and cultural programs but due to the shrinking space for culture and art as a consequence of religious fundamentalism, he now mostly plays at weddings and other domestic celebrations. He is a dhol trainer. Ten dholis now playing professionally became his shaagirds when they were age 9 or 10. Riaz is also teaching his son and he hopes that his son will keep his family’s legacy alive.
Riaz Hussain at Punjab Lok Rahs dance workshop 2015
When asked if he is happy with what he does, he said “dhol is played on celebrations and if you are not happy and content you cannot play dhol. You have to absolutely love dhol only then people will dance to your tune and celebrate around it”. If you see Riaz Hussain you will know exactly what he meant by that, he is a treat to watch when he plays dhol and you will definitely dance to his beat… clap and snap and clap and snap and clap………
People dancing to his tune
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