India, Aug. 27 -- The reverberating beats of the dhol and tasha are integral to Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. With the festival now just over two weeks away, Dhol Tasha pathaks across Maharashtra are stepping up preparations for the processions. But beyond the spectacle of hundreds of players performing in sync, the tradition has a long history. From its roots in Pune's schools to the pathaks attracting professionals and actors, here's a look at what goes behind becoming part of a Dhol Tasha pathak.

The dhol and tasha are traditional percussion instruments from Maharashtra. The dhol is a large, double-headed cylindrical drum suspended around the player's neck and played with two different sticks to create a layered sound. Traditionally ...