Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Pune Youth Back Dhol-Tasha, Seek Limits on Loud DJs
Many young people in Pune want Ganeshotsav to stay lively and traditional.
They especially support dhol-tasha performances because these bring people together and connect them with local culture.
However, they do not want very loud DJs and electronic sound systems to disturb residents.
They believe celebrations should follow rules about volume and timing.
Ganesh mandal representatives asked for fewer restrictions on sound systems.
They agreed not to use plasma systems, pressure-media systems or laser lights.
A resident raised concerns about noise during a civic meeting, leading to a brief commotion.
Police will decide the final rules for sound levels, speakers and timings.
Young Punekars support dhol-tasha as a traditional part of Ganeshotsav.
Residents and youngsters want excessive DJ sound controlled rather than all celebrations banned.
Pune has around 180 dhol-tasha groups participating this year.
Ganesh mandal representatives opposed tighter DJ restrictions but agreed to avoid plasma, pressure-media systems and laser lights.
Police will decide permissible sound levels, speaker configurations and timings after a Pune civic meeting.
- Who
- Young Punekars, residents, Ganesh mandal representatives, civic officials and police officers.
- What
- A debate over regulating loud DJs and electronic sound systems while allowing traditional dhol-tasha during Ganeshotsav.
- When
- Ahead of this year’s Ganeshotsav; the coordination meeting took place on Monday.
- Where
- Pune, Maharashtra, particularly around Ganesh procession routes.
- Why
- Young people and residents want to preserve cultural celebrations while reducing noise nuisance and following sound regulations.
Traditional Celebration With Sensible Limits
Fewer Restrictions on Festival Sound
Dhol-tasha and cultural identity
Traditional Celebration With Sensible Limits
Young people and residents support dhol-tasha as a traditional, community-based part of Pune’s Ganeshotsav and say it should not be equated with high-powered electronic sound.
Fewer Restrictions on Festival Sound
Ganesh mandal representatives want celebrations to retain their energy and opposed restrictions on DJs and sound systems.
Noise regulation
Traditional Celebration With Sensible Limits
Youngsters and residents want clear limits on decibel levels and timings to prevent loud music from disturbing people living near procession routes.
Fewer Restrictions on Festival Sound
Mandal representatives demanded fewer curbs on sound systems, although they agreed not to use plasma and pressure-media systems or laser lights.
Scope of restrictions
Traditional Celebration With Sensible Limits
Some residents called for restrictions on both DJs and dhol-tasha, while others favored regulating excessive sound rather than banning all performances.
Fewer Restrictions on Festival Sound
Mandal workers objected when a resident called for restrictions on both DJs and dhol-tasha, reflecting opposition to treating traditional performances and electronic systems identically.
- Festival
- Ganeshotsav
- Traditional music
- Dhol-tasha
- Dhol-tasha groups
- Around 180 groups are reported in Pune this year.
- Restricted equipment
- Mandal representatives agreed to refrain from plasma and pressure-media systems and laser lights.
- Final authority
- The police administration will decide sound levels, speaker configurations and permissible timings.
- Meeting participants
- Pune civic officials, police officers and Ganesh mandal representatives attended the coordination meeting.