5 hrs ago
Ganpati Noise Debate Leaves Maharashtra DJs Facing Uncertain Bookings
Maharashtra is debating how loud music should be during the Ganesh festival.
Some people want DJs banned because very loud sound can disturb communities.
DJ operators say the law already has noise limits and that the rules should be enforced clearly instead of banning their work.
Many people earn money from DJ equipment, including sound technicians, loaders and rental companies.
Professional sound equipment can cost millions of rupees.
Mumbai Ganpati groups say they have already greatly reduced their use of DJs.
They often use traditional music such as dhol-tasha and lezim instead.
However, DJs are still in demand in some parts of Maharashtra.
The industry is waiting to learn whether it will be allowed to work during the festival.
A demand to ban DJs during Ganeshotsav has widened into a debate over high-decibel sound systems and noise limits.
Maharashtra’s DJ industry says unclear enforcement is threatening bookings and the livelihoods of technicians, loaders and rental companies.
Professional DJ setups can cost Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh, while operators must continually invest in newer equipment.
Noise rules require sound below 60 decibels in residential areas, with loudspeakers permitted in silence zones only with permission.
Mumbai Ganpati mandals say DJ use has fallen by nearly 85 per cent over the past decade, although large systems remain used in parts of Maharashtra.
- Who
- DJs, sound operators, Ganpati mandals, authorities and workers connected to Maharashtra’s event-sound industry.
- What
- A debate over whether to ban DJs or strictly enforce existing noise limits during Ganeshotsav.
- Where
- Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Pune, Kalyan and Ahmedabad.
- When
- The debate is taking place during this year’s Ganeshotsav; the relevant Bombay High Court directives were issued in August 2016.
- Why
- Residents and others are seeking controls on excessive noise, while the sound industry wants clear rules that protect festival-related livelihoods.
DJ Industry and Sound Operators
Noise Regulation and Ganpati Mandal Representatives
Ban or enforcement
DJ Industry and Sound Operators
Industry representatives say a DJ is an artist operating sound equipment and argue that existing noise limits should be enforced clearly rather than imposing an unclear ban on DJs or loudspeakers.
Noise Regulation and Ganpati Mandal Representatives
Those seeking stronger noise control argue that excessive sound must be restricted; Mumbai’s Ganpati mandals say they have reduced DJ use and are being advised to follow noise-pollution rules.
Festival livelihoods
DJ Industry and Sound Operators
Operators say uncertain bookings affect DJs, sound technicians, loaders, rental companies and other workers, especially during a season when work is already limited.
Noise Regulation and Ganpati Mandal Representatives
The case for tighter controls prioritizes compliance with noise rules during public festivities, even as the report notes that some parts of Maharashtra continue to use large systems.
Nature of DJ sound
DJ Industry and Sound Operators
Sound operators say professional DJ work involves trained artistic and technical skills and that good systems should produce clean, crisp sound rather than simply louder music.
Noise Regulation and Ganpati Mandal Representatives
The opposing concern focuses on the disruptive effects of high-decibel systems, particularly when sound limits are exceeded.
Key facts
- Estimated DJs in Maharashtra
- More than two lakh, according to the Professional Audio and Lighting Association.
- Sound rental companies
- More than one lakh companies in Maharashtra.
- Service vendors
- More than nine lakh vendors employed by the sound-rental sector, according to PALA.
- Professional setup cost
- Approximately Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh.
- Residential noise limit
- Below 60 decibels under the rules cited in the report.
- Mumbai DJ-use reduction
- Ganpati mandals have reduced DJ use by nearly 85 per cent over the past decade, according to BSGSS.
- Worker daily rate
- DJ Ganesh Sunariwal said loaders and sound technicians are paid Rs 1,000 per day.
Quotes
Naresh Dahibavkar
President of the BSGSS, representing Mumbai’s Sarvajanik Ganpati mandals.
“Growing up, I observed that people loved to dance to remixes. These mixes had no limitations of religion, language or beats. I knew, early on, that I wanted to play music that entertains,”
indianexpress.com
“Since the High Court directives in 2016, most mandals now resort to more traditional music like dhol Tasha and Lezim. They have considerably reduced the usage of DJs during festivities.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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