77025-03A GROUP of young musicians are trying to drum up support for the chance to play in public.

The Swindon Mela Dhol drumming group came together four months ago to prepare for the July's Mela and Swindon Summer Festival.

Since then they have come on in leaps and bounds their instructor says and now they are ready to face an audience.

Teacher Taj Seera, 23, who has played with Malkit Singh and Jools Holland, said: "I have never had a group like them. Everybody is really committed.

"It's still early days so they might be a little nervous at first playing in public but I think it would do them good and they'd do really well.

"It would boost their confidence to play to an audience.

"They would certainly be an asset to any fete, they would liven things up."

The group of around 20 youngsters play the Dhol drums, which is an instrument from north India.

They meet for two hours every Saturday at the Sikh Community Centre in Kemble Street, when Taj travels from his home town Birmingham to play a form of folk bangra music.

Arjun Toor, 16, a New College student from Shaw, is one of the musicians who started in January.

Arjun, who already played the drums and the guitar before he started learning the new instrument, said: "It's a bit of fun, the main thing is that we all enjoy it.

"The Dhol drum is the backbone of Indian music, you always hear it at weddings and things like that.

"I think we can get a group together that could do well in public.

"That would be great. It's music that everyone can enjoy."

Toby Rathbone, Swindon Council's, performing arts officer, who has helped organise the group, said: "We would like to give them experience of playing in public before the Swindon Summer Festival on July 16 and Swindon Mela on July 30.

"They're doing really well and they would be ideal for any outdoors or community events."

Anyone who is interested in having the Dhol drummers at an event should call Toby on 01793 466 522 or email: trathbone@ swindon.gov.uk

Gareth Bethell