Guwahati Grooves: Drum Circles Rise in the Gateway to Northeast India
- Shreya Guleria
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
Guwahati, the largest city in Assam and the cultural heart of Northeast India, has always been a land of rhythm. From the powerful dhols of Bihu to the devotional chants along the Brahmaputra, the spirit of Guwahati is deeply musical, communal, and celebratory.
Now, the city is slowly waking up to a modern rhythm movement — drum circles. And just like its mighty river, the beat is flowing freely, inviting people from all walks of life to come together, unwind, and co-create.
Where Culture Runs Deep
Guwahati is rooted in identity. Its traditions are alive and proud — yet open to global, mindful influences. This mix makes it an ideal ground for a community art form like drumming.
Here’s why drum circles are catching on:
They honour Guwahati’s rich percussion heritage while being playful and inclusive
They offer young professionals, students, and artists a non-competitive creative outlet
They complement the city's rising focus on mental wellness and expressive healing
They create belonging in a city that is both traditional and rapidly modernizing
“Guwahati doesn’t follow trends — it absorbs them into its soul. That’s what’s happening with drumming.”— Culture activist, Uzan Bazar
A Youthful, Evolving Energy
With universities like Gauhati University, Cotton University, and numerous design, media, and engineering colleges, the youth of Guwahati are hungry for experiences that are meaningful and expressive.
Drum circles are appearing in:
Campus wellness events and peer therapy sessions
Music and art festivals celebrating Northeast culture
Eco-conscious gatherings near Deepor Beel and Nilachal Hills
Queer collectives and youth forums promoting inclusivity and self-expression
“It’s wild how free I felt drumming with strangers. That doesn’t happen in most college events.”— Student, Cotton University
Grounded in Nature, Drawn to Healing
With the hills, the river, and sacred spaces all around, Guwahati is a naturally meditative city. Wellness, Ayurveda, and mindfulness practices are gaining popularity here — and drum circles now find their rhythm within that space.
They’re being used in:
Group therapy and healing circles for trauma survivors
Women’s empowerment and menstrual wellness circles
NGO-led art and mental health projects in tribal and rural belts
Yoga and meditation retreats in Sonapur and Pobitora fringes
“When words fail, rhythm speaks. That’s why it works — especially here.”— Wellness facilitator, Beltola
Emerging Work Culture, New Team Rituals
Guwahati’s start-up scene is small but strong — with entrepreneurs, social ventures, and digital professionals forming tight-knit communities. Drum circles are now being introduced as part of their wellness, team bonding, and public engagement formats.
Popular formats include:
Team refreshers during weekend strategy meet-ups
Creative workshops for content and media houses
HR initiatives in educational orgs and social enterprises
Public jam sessions in co-working cafés in Ganeshguri and GS Road
“This was better than any team-building session. It was simple, raw, and unifying.”— Creative lead, local NGO
📍Where to Find Drum Circles in Guwahati:
Dighalipukhuri Park and Uzan Bazar riverbanks – open jam circles
University campuses and art collectives – student-led rhythm sessions
Cafés in Beltola, Six Mile, and Zoo Tiniali – acoustic evenings
Retreat centres near Chandubi Lake and Sonapur – rhythm therapy events
Music festivals like Rongali and Shilpgram gatherings – cultural fusions
In Guwahati, the drum isn’t new — it’s just returning in a new form. A form that invites collaboration over competition, healing over hustle, and belonging over performance.
As the city continues to grow and evolve, its people are finding rhythm not just in tradition, but in togetherness. In the simple act of beating a drum with strangers who suddenly feel like friends.
Because in Guwahati, every beat brings you home — to yourself and to your community.
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