Where Music Is Sacred: Why a 92-Year-Old Tribal Musician Is Making India Listen
In the remote tribal hamlets of Walvanda village in Jawhar taluka, Palghar district, Maharashtra, lives a man whose life has been inseparable from the deep, resonant hum of an ancient wind instrument - the Tarpa. At 92 years old, Bhiklya Ladakya Dhinda stands among India’s most revered cultural custodians, recently honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri for his lifetime dedication to preserving this mesmerizing art form.Born into the Vanvasi (Adivasi) community, Bhiklya’s childhood was shaped by the rhythm of the forests and the pulse of tribal festivals. From as early as 10 years old, he learned the Tarpa, a sacred wind instrument made from a dried bottle gourd, bamboo pipes, leaves, and beeswax and began his lifelong journey as a musician, teacher, and guardian of tradition.The Tarpa: More Than an Instrument The Tarpa is not merely a musical instrument. It is a ritualistic wind instrument deeply revered by the Warli tribes of Maharashtra, especially in Jawhar, Dahanu, Vikramgad, Mohkada, and Talasari regions.Standing often over five feet tall, crafted entirely by hand from natural materials, the Tarpa produces a rich, soulful sound that echoes through hills and fields. It is traditionally played during festivals, harvest ceremonies, communal dances, and spiritual rites, believed to invoke blessings for fertility, good harvests, and harmony among people and nature.During a Tarpa performance, villagers form circles and dance—men, women, children, and elders combined. This Tarpa dance is not structured choreography but a spontaneous, shared communion, reflecting unity, collective memory, and gratitude to nature, vital elements of Warli identity.The Journey of a Tribal MaestroGrowing up in a region where tribal arts rarely received national attention, he carried this tradition forward through sheer devotion and resilience. For more than 80 years, he has taught sons and grandsons the craft, passing on the knowledge orally, keeping alive an art form that could have otherwise faded into silence.Despite challenges from limited materials for Tarpa construction to the lure of urban jobs pulling younger generations away, Bhiklya remained rooted in his homeland. His music, once known only within his community, is now being recognised on a national stage, while also drawing attention to the cultural heritage of the Warli people, whose existence is entwined with forests, harvests, and ritual.In receiving the Padma Shri, Bhiklya has not only been honoured for his personal contribution but has also become a symbol of resilience for every marginalized tradition threatened by rapid social change.Legacy, Inspiration, and the Music That Never DiesBhiklya’s recognition has sparked new interest in tribal art forms and has inspired younger generations. His story is a reminder that cultural heritage is not static, it lives through people who cherish it, protect it, and share it. From the circles of the Tarpa dance to the serene forests of Palghar, his music reminds us of the beauty of collective memory and shared identity.In a world constantly rushing forward, the echo of the Tarpa, shaped by Bhiklya’s breath and spirit, asks us to pause, listen, and remember. For in every note lies a story, deep as tradition, rich as soil, and enduring as the human heart.
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