Despite battling night blindness and financial hardships, Golak Paik, a musician from Dublabahal village in Odisha, has captivated netizens with his Sambalpuri music after a video of his performance went viral on social media.
A busker creates a captivating show of traditional Sambalpuri music from Odisha’s hinterland at a village square, drawing the attention of locals and passersby. Three of his four sons join him in the performance. As dholak player Golak Paik’s skilled hands drum out intricate rhythms, his youngest son adds a twist to their show with yoga-style calisthenics.
At the end of the act, drenched in sweat and out of breath, Paik and his sons gather the coins and notes and head home. It’s hardly enough to get by.
One day, a visitor recorded their performance and shared it on social media. The video quickly went viral, capturing the admiration of viewers. The story of the humble musician from Dublabahal village in Bargarh district of western Odisha spread like wildfire, and he soon became an internet sensation.
Paik’s tale more than meets the eye. He was diagnosed with nyctalopia when he was 21, and his night-time eyesight began to wane. The gradual onset of night blindness brought challenges in accomplishing his daily chores, but it did not deter his passion for Sambalpuri songs and rhythms.
“I couldn’t tell when the darkness gradually began to take away my eyesight. Back then, I knew a bit of music, and I used to manage life with my parents. We made a living by playing the dholak at weddings, festivals and pilgrimages. It was during this time that I met and married Sujata. Now, we have four sons. They join me after school or during holidays,” he said.
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His 15-year-old eldest son, Aditya, is in Class 10. Siniyan is in Class 6, Manav is in Class 4, and Sagar is a pre-primary student at the local anganwadi.
The family’s financial situation is precarious, with Paik receiving a meagre Rs 500 a month from the Indira Gandhi National Disabled Pension scheme. Now in his early 40s, he is forced to perform regularly to keep the household running.
Recently, Paik’s parents died. “My father had high blood pressure and my mother was paralysed by a sickness. All our savings were exhausted in their treatment. Still, I couldn’t save them,” he lamented.
The family’s house is in disrepair, with unfinished walls and floors, no doors or windows. “It has a leaky roof. The house gets flooded in the rain. We have run out of money. But there’s little option for us. We have nowhere else to stay,” he said.
Lack of nutritious food has left Aditya and Manav anaemic, further straining the family’s limited resources. Even Paik’s condition is attributed to inadequate nutrition. Night blindness is caused by a lack of vitamin A.
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“Both Aditya and Manav suffered a bout of jaundice lately. They had to be hospitalised. The treatment drained out my limited income. It was difficult to get even a square meal a day,” Paik said.
Two years ago, Paik’s life took an unexpected turn when local YouTuber Ranjan Kumbhar discovered him playing the dholak near his village. “I was playing the baja near the village when Ranjan spotted me. He recorded my songs and put them on social media. One song after another went viral. With his support, I am getting some money now,” said the dholak player.
Ranjan’s efforts have been instrumental in bringing Paik’s story to the public eye. Beyond recording and sharing videos, he has provided Paik with personal support, ensuring he has a platform to showcase his talent.
“I couldn’t bear to see Paik dada’s sufferings. He often comes over and stays with me now. I record his music in markets and haats. I post them on social media,” Ranjan said.
Paik’s viral fame has opened new doors. He has recently been offered a song in an Odia film, marking a milestone in his musical journey.
“He went to Cuttack and returned after singing (recording) songs. I wish him good luck,” said Sujata.
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Although the returns are still limited, this opportunity brings hope for a better future. Talks are underway for another film project, which could improve Paik’s circumstances.
The story of Paik reached Bargarh collector Aditya Goyal through social media. Recognising his talent and dire situation, Goyal has taken steps to provide further support. “Plans are underway to provide Paik with a better house and ensure educational opportunities for his children,” he said.
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The lead image on top shows Golak Paik playing the dholak. (Screengrab from Youtube.com/@ranjankumbhar3949)
Shreekanta Sahoo is a seasoned journalist with a decade of dedicated experience in the ever-evolving field of media.
