ISW Symphony Dhol Tasha Lezim Team Performs at Boston Celtics Pregame Show

Contributed by: Sarita Deshpande

On Thursday, December 12, 2024, the ISW Symphony Dhol Tasha Lezim team took center stage at TD Garden in Boston during the pregame show of the Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons game. This energetic group of ISW volunteers, who have been working together for several years, regularly practices and performs at various ISW and local community events. The team plays traditional Indian folk drums known as 'Dhol,' snare drums called 'Tasha,' and large and small cymbals referred to as 'Zanj' and 'Taal.'

This performance was part of ISW’s longstanding collaboration with the Boston Celtics, which began in 2010. Over the years, ISW members have participated in various pregame activities, including singing the National Anthem, interacting with players, and showcasing traditional Indian music and dance. Ragini Seth, a pioneering ISW volunteer who helped initiate this collaboration, reflected on the tradition: “It all started with a group dancing to ‘Jai Ho’ on the parquet floor. Since then, ISW has brought Indian culture to Celtics fans in many ways. Seeing the Dhol Tasha team perform this year continues that legacy.”

"Stepping onto the Celtics court, where basketball legends have played, was an incredible feeling. It was a proud moment to see our Indian cultural rhythms capture the attention of thousands of spectators in the arena," said Sarita Deshpande, Chair of the ISW Symphony initiative.

Aishwarya Mungarwadi, one of the Dhol players and a recent addition to the team, shared her excitement: “I never dreamt of performing Dhol for the Celtics. Being a new performer, this was a big achievement for me. I was on cloud nine after the performance. The vibrant and lively atmosphere felt amazing.”

Another Dhol player, Akshay Rajhans, captures the essence of the performance using AI: “Let us applaud, this cultural blend, where dance and music, forever transcend. The ISW Symphony, a name we'll recall, for the vibrant performance, a sight for all.”

Rajesh Khare, an ISW volunteer and one of the organizers of the group, added, "It was an incredible experience to showcase the rich tradition of Dhol Tasha Lezim to a wider audience. The energy in the arena was amazing."

Big Thanks to All Our Volunteer Performers

• Flag Bearer: Ashok Kale
• Dhol Players: Aditya Ambade, Atharv Deshpande, Akshay Rajhans, Shirish Joshi, Rajesh Khare, Adi Kinhikar, Aishwarya Mungarwadi, Prasanna Pawar, Meenakshi Vaze, Durgesh Warty
• Tasha Players: Sanket Gurao, Arvind Kinhikar, Parag Kunte, Mangesh Shinde, Kaustubh Sahasrabuddhe, Vinay Vyas
• Zanj Players: Vaijayanti Joshi, Priya Vaidya
• Taal Players: Ahaan Rajhans, Ayaan Sahasrabuddhe
• Lezim Players: Avnee Ambade, Anuradha Bhogle, Pranita Deshmukh, Sarita Deshpande, Shriya Jog, Lavanya Kartik, Saanvi Khare, Anjali Kinhikar, Shilpa Kulkarni, Tanvi Kunte, Arjun Sahasrabuddhe, Samyukta Warty
• Logistics and Planning Help: Abhijeet Kaulgud

The ISW Symphony Dhol Tasha Lezim team regularly performs at ISW events and other local programs, promoting Indian culture through rhythm and dance. For more information, visit iswonline.org.

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