Rupi Marks 25 Years of Dhol Mastery: A Journey of Passion, Perseverance, and Performance

Rupi is celebrating 25 years as a dhol player in Australia. He leads Platinum Dholis, the nation’s longest running and most successful dhol company. Read on as he celebrates his silver jubilee. 

Interviewed by Nidhi Kumari

How does it feel to celebrate 25 years as a dhol player in Australia?

Celebrating 25 years as a dhol player in Australia is an incredible feeling. I never imagined that this journey would take me this far. What started as a passionate hobby—playing in my bedroom, jamming with friends, and dreaming of performing on stage—has evolved into something far greater than I ever expected. Never in a million years did I think I would have the opportunity to meet so many incredible people, travel across Australia and internationally, or share the stage with world-class artists. This journey has been nothing short of amazing, and I’m beyond grateful for every experience along the way.

Looking back, what were your initial goals when you started your journey with dhol?

My initial goal was to play the dhol anytime, anywhere, regardless of the occasion—from friends’ and family get-togethers to cultural events. I never thought I would be good enough to take it any further than that.

Growing up in England during the 1980s, how did live bands like Alaap and Apna Sangeet influence your musical journey?

In England at that time, there were no DJs—only live bands at weddings. As kids, all we wanted to do was play with our friends. But once the band started playing, I was mesmerized. The music, energy, and atmosphere captivated me and resonated deeply. I would ask my parents, Who are they? What are they saying? What instruments are those? I was full of questions, and the experience struck a chord within me—one that stayed for years, just waiting to burst out.

What was the defining moment during your trip back to England that solidified your passion for dhol?

When I went back to England, I was obsessed with the dhol. There were no teachers or online resources to guide me in Australia. During my visit, I met with my family friend Aman Hayer, who invited me to his studio to play dhol. There, we were joined by Sukshinder Shinda. I played for them, and they gave me valuable tips on how to improve. Watching them both perform blew me away—I was in awe of their skill. This experience ignited an even stronger passion in me, driving my desire to learn and improve. At that moment, I knew this was what I truly wanted to do. I made a decision that day to give it my all, no matter what. This set me on the right path—one of dedication and a mission to bring this level of talent to Australia.

From club events to international artist tours, what have been some of your most cherished performances over the past 25 years?

There are a couple of moments that truly stand out. The first was playing with Lehmber Hussainpuri and a live band. I have always been a huge fan of Lehmber, so not only meeting him but also sharing the stage with him was a dream come true. This experience also taught me a valuable lesson—playing with a live band without any rehearsal. It’s a completely different skill because you’re not just relying on yourself; you have to stay in sync with the entire band. I was honored when they asked me to join them for the rest of the tour. I was blown away and will always cherish that moment. I honestly never thought I would have the opportunity to do something like that. 

The second unforgettable experience was performing with Imran Khan, a massive superstar. I was invited to be his opening act alongside Zora Randhawa for the Australia and New Zealand tour. This tour was incredible, and my performance with Kish at Luna Park was the highlight—playing in front of 2,500 people, the largest indoor crowd I had ever performed for. The energy from the audience was electrifying. However, the tour was also physically demanding. The combination of constant traveling, performing, lack of sleep, and insufficient food left me bedridden from exhaustion for three days. But despite the toll it took on my body, it was absolutely worth it—to be part of the biggest youth show to date was an unforgettable experience.

How did partnering with Kish for Tantra Nights in 2008 shape the music scene for youth in Australia?

Kish and I were familiar with each other from the music scene, having crossed paths a few times at various events. Our first real collaboration came when we were both booked to perform at a club event organised by Brett, an Australian music enthusiast who appreciated the energy and talent we brought to the stage. Impressed by our performances, Brett later approached us with an unexpected opportunity taking over his company, Tantra Nights. 

After a meeting with Brett, Kish and I decided to take the music scene to the next level. We did a few events to gauge the crowd’s response, and from there, we quickly established ourselves as leaders in the youth music scene. We would ask the crowd what they wanted and which artists they would like to see. As a result, we brought many international artists to Australia, including RDB, Imran Khan, Aman Hayer, Zeus, and Jassi Sidhu, to name a few.

We had a huge impact on the youth. We didn’t view this as just a business; we approached it from a music fan’s perspective. We constantly asked ourselves, What would we like to see? How can we improve the show? We never cut corners when it came to quality—whether it was flyers, sound, or production. This was our standard, and it made us crowd favourites because everything was driven by passion and a love for music. It changed the way the youth experienced attending events.

You’ve overcome serious health challenges, including heart surgery and heart failure. How did your passion for music help you through those tough times? What lessons have these challenges taught you about resilience and the power of music?

Overcoming serious health challenges, including heart surgery and heart failure, was one of the toughest battles of my life. When my heart surgery went wrong, I ended up in the hospital for 40 days, under the care of six specialists. There were moments when I was at my lowest, unsure if I would survive. My condition was so rare that there was no documented treatment in medical journals—I became a case study. 

Through it all, I relied heavily on the strong mindset I had developed from my background in sports, years of gym training, and disciplined dieting. That mental strength proved invaluable in keeping me focused and positive. But beyond that, music became my greatest source of comfort. Listening to songs and envisioning myself performing on stage helped me stay grounded.

For 40 days, I couldn’t eat solid food and survived on broth and paste-based meals. Sleep was almost impossible—I shared a room with three other patients, constantly undergoing blood tests and check-ups, with little privacy or rest. But what kept me going was remembering the pure joy of playing music—bringing happiness to people. I would close my eyes, listen to music, and picture myself on stage, feeling the energy of the crowd dancing to my dhol beats. That vision became my motivation, pushing me to fight through every challenge.

These experiences have taught me the true meaning of resilience and the incredible power of music. Music is more than just sound—it’s emotion, connection, and healing. It reminded me to never give up, no matter the odds, and that passion has the power to carry us through even the darkest times.

Platinum Dholis is recognized as Australia’s most successful dhol ensemble.

What has been the secret to its sustained success over 25 years?

There isn’t one—no magic formula or shortcut. It has simply been my passion. I never set out to make money from this; for me, it has always been about the pure joy of performing. I put my heart and soul into every performance, always giving 100%. 

A big part of this journey has been understanding the people I perform for. I always put myself in the client’s shoes—what would they want? How would they want to be treated? How can I provide them with the best experience and give the best of myself and my team? Our clients see this dedication during consultations and when we perform. They see the passion, the energy, and the genuine joy we bring to every event. 

The key to longevity in any field is simple: love what you do, stay passionate, and maintain strong ethics. Surrounding yourself with the right people is just as important. I’m incredibly blessed to have Krish, Rajee, and Ekam on my team. They are humble, passionate, and truly great individuals who share the same love for the dhol that I do. Having a team that shares your vision and values makes all the difference.

How do you and your team ensure every performance stands out and leaves a lasting impact? You’ve shared the stage with renowned artists like Jazzy B, Imran Khan, and Bally Sagoo. How did those collaborations elevate your craft?

Our team consistently practices—both individually and as a group—despite the challenges of balancing family and other commitments. While it’s not always easy to catch up, we make it a priority to come together, brainstorm new ideas, and refine every performance. Whether we’re rehearsing or performing at an event, we give 100% every time. Our passion drives us to play with our hearts on our sleeves, ensuring that each performance stands out and leaves a lasting impact.

Sharing the stage with renowned artists like Jazzy B, Imran Khan, and Bally Sagoo has been both nerve-racking and inspiring. It pushes us to bring our A-game every time. Performing alongside such high-calibre artists comes with the expectation of being well-prepared—knowing their songs, understanding their style, and adapting to their energy. These collaborations have elevated our craft significantly, forcing us to work twice as hard to match their level of talent.

They’ve also been humbling experiences, reminding us that there are always higher levels to reach. This constant pursuit of growth and excellence has helped us refine our performances and evolve as artists.

What has been your proudest achievement as a promoter, bringing global stars to Australia? How do you think your journey has influenced the representation of traditional dhol music in Australia?

There have been many great achievements throughout my journey, and ticking off life goals has been both a blessing and an honour. Bringing international artists to Australia has been incredible, but my proudest moments come from the joy it brings to the public. Uniting our cultural music with the Australian music scene, seeing the youth come together, and watching people embrace our musical heritage is truly rewarding.

While performing with global stars is exciting, what stays with me is the support of the community—the people who come together to celebrate, dance, and create unforgettable memories. The joy on their faces, the smiles, and the connections made through music mean more to me than anything else. I’ve been fortunate to form countless friendships and make a meaningful impact, which is more fulfilling than any personal accolade.

My journey with the dhol has, in my opinion, influenced its representation in Australia to a certain degree. When I first started, there were only a handful of dhol players in the country—now, there are so many, which is incredible to see. The younger generation is reconnecting with their cultural roots, and I’ve had the privilege of teaching students from as young as five to as old as seventy. It’s humbling to hear people say they were inspired to learn the dhol after seeing me perform. Age is no barrier when it comes to music, and knowing that I’ve played a role in keeping our tradition alive in Australia is something I take great pride in.

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who want to incorporate traditional instruments into modern music? As you celebrate this milestone, what’s next for you and Platinum Dholis in the coming years?

My advice to aspiring musicians who want to incorporate traditional instruments into modern music is simple—play with passion and for the right reasons. Ask yourself why you want to do this and what you hope to achieve. Set clear goals and expectations, and write them down. Passion will always override everything else. Yes, the journey will be challenging, but nothing worthwhile comes easy. Stick with it, enjoy the process, and most importantly, ignore the naysayers. Consistency is key—practice daily, stay dedicated, and trust the journey.

As we celebrate this milestone, there’s still so much more to come for Platinum Dholis. We have something big in the works and many more goals to achieve in the years ahead. For now, our focus remains on doing what we love—playing music and bringing joy to people. The best is yet to come.

Out of the 7,000 events you’ve performed at, is there one that holds a special place in your heart? If you could relive one moment from your 25-year career, what would it be and why?

This is a really tough question to answer because there have been so many unforgettable moments. On an accolade level, one that stands out is performing with Lehmber and his live band, as well as with Zeus. Zeus typically doesn’t allow dhol players on his set because he prefers to connect directly with the crowd. However, when I opened for him alongside Zora, Shortie, and Fateh, we finished our set and walked off stage—only for Zeus to grab my arm and ask me to stay on stage with him. I was completely shocked because I knew this wasn’t something he usually did. After the show, back at his hotel, I asked him why he made that decision. His response was that the crowd had an incredible, eclectic vibe, the music was on point, and my dhol playing brought an extra level of energy that he wanted to carry through his performance. That moment truly meant a lot to me.

On a personal level, every event—from weddings to anniversaries to private parties—holds a special place in my heart. Being part of someone’s most cherished moments and bringing joy to their celebrations is what truly stands out to me. Knowing that my music has contributed to unforgettable memories for so many people is the most rewarding part of my journey. 

If there’s one moment I could relive, it would undoubtedly be the Imran Khan show. That night, I wasn’t just the promoter—I was also on stage, performing on the dhol. But in the whirlwind of adrenaline, stress, and excitement, I barely had a chance to take it all in.

As the promoter, I carried the immense pressure of ensuring the event’s success—coordinating with supporting artists, managing the promotion team, overseeing models, security, and the venue, while also keeping the crowd engaged and ensuring Imran himself was taken care of. It was a relentless balancing act, and before I knew it, the night had passed in a blur.

Looking back, I wish I could have paused for a moment to soak in the energy of the crowd, to truly appreciate the hard work that went into making the event happen, and to simply enjoy my time on stage, lost in the rhythm of the dhol. Being both a promoter and a performer is no easy feat, but it’s a challenge I’ll always cherish.