DJ culture at weddings hampering brass band industry in Rajkot

With the growing popularity of Disk Jockeys (DJ's) and Casino parties, the musical bands, known for creating the fervour in weddings, are facing an existential crisis and have subsequently raised fears among the band owners in Gujarat's Rajkot city.

The band owners here claim that they are running out of business due to the advent of DJ culture.

Attired in uniforms, these musical troops with their big shining brass instruments are a hallmark of the great Indian wedding.

These bands have been a permanent fixture in Indian weddings, belting out classic Bollywood hits in an orchestrated symphony.

However in recent times, the DJ's and the Casio parties at Indian weddings has become a common feature.

Owing to this trend, the brass bands are suffering huge losses. They fear that if the trend continues, they would gradually have to shut shops and slip into oblivion.

"For the past five to six years, the DJ's and Casio parties have ruined our business. Because of them, we do not have food to eat. Earlier, we used to play at ten events, but today it is down to just one wedding party," said Santosh, a band leader.

"Sometimes, even that is not there. Our incomes are abysmally low. What do we take home? The DJ's and Casio parties must be banned as they did in Maharashtra," he added.

However, despite all problems, the bands continue to enjoy an extremely loyal niche following.

"The bands are a part of our traditional musical heritage. It requires continuous practice and hard work. It is a form of art that must be preserved and maintained. I think their services must be used by everyone, especially in weddings," said Giriraj Singh Jadeja, a local, who hired a band for a wedding.