TeresitaBunch at 18:42, 13 March 2026

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{{Short description|Indian folk percussionist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Gokul Chandra Das
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_place = North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India
| occupation = Dhaki artist
| known_for = Promoting dhak music and empowering women in folk percussion
| website = {{URL|https://www.gokuldhaki.in/}}
| awards = {{Plainlist|
* [[Padma Shri]] (2025)
}}
}}

'''Gokul Chandra Das''' is an Indian folk percussionist known for his expertise in playing the ''dhak'', a traditional Bengali drum. He is widely credited with popularizing the art form globally and for empowering women through music. In 2025, he became the first ''dhaki'' (dhak player) to receive the [[Padma Shri]], India's fourth-highest civilian award, for his contributions to the performing arts.<ref name="TOI2025">{{Cite web |title=I am the first Padma Shri-winning dhaki player: Gokul Chandra Das |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/i-am-the-first-padma-shri-winning-dhaki-player-gokul-chandra-das/articleshow/117600955.cms |website=The Times of India |date=26 January 2025 |access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="IEPadmaList">{{Cite web |title=On Padma Shri list: Folk artistes, health experts |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/on-padma-shri-list-folk-artistes-health-experts-9799504/ |website=The Indian Express |date=26 January 2025 |access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|title=Padma Awards 2025 announced
|url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2096285 |website=Press Information Bureau
|publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |date=25 January 2025 |access-date=7 June 2025
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Padma Awards 2025 – Notifications |url=https://www.padmaawards.gov.in/Document/pdf/notifications/PadmaAwards/2025.pdf
|website=Padma Awards (Official)
|publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |date=28 April 2025 |access-date=8 June 2025
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=I am the first Padma Shri-winning dhaki player: Gokul Chandra Das |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/sports/other/i-am-the-first-padma-shri-winning-dhaki-player-gokul-chandra-das/ar-AA1xVxdx |website=MSN |date=26 January 2025 |access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref>

== Career ==
Das, hailing from a family of traditional drummers in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, began playing the ''dhak'' at a young age. Over the years, he developed a distinctive style that blended classical rhythm with folk tradition. His performances have been appreciated both nationally and internationally, earning praise from renowned musicians such as [[Ravi Shankar]] and [[Zakir Hussain (musician)|Zakir Hussain]].<ref name="Telegraph2025">{{Cite web |title=His beats wowed Ravi Shankar, Zakir Hussain: Gokul Chandra Das, first dhaaki to win Padma award |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/his-beats-wowed-ravi-shankar-zakir-hussain-gokul-chandra-das-first-dhaaki-to-win-padma-award/cid/2080022 |website=The Telegraph |access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="ETV">{{Cite web |title=Padma Shri Award 2025 Winner Gokul Chandra Das - Exclusive Interview |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/bn/!state/padma-shri-award-2025-winner-gokul-chandra-das-exclusive-interview-west-bengal-news-wbs25012601043 |website=ETV Bharat |access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref>

== Contributions ==
In addition to preserving and promoting ''dhak'' traditions, Das is recognized for his efforts in social empowerment. He has trained over 150 women to become professional ''dhakis'' - a domain traditionally restricted to men - thereby challenging gender norms and promoting financial independence in rural Bengal.<ref name="Ommcom2025">{{Cite web |title=Padma Shri Gokul Chandra Das: The Man Who Ended Gender Bias In Dhak Beats |url=https://ommcomnews.com/india-news/padma-shri-gokul-chandra-das-the-man-who-ended-gender-bias-in-dhak-beats |website=Ommcom News |access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="BetterIndia">{{Cite web |title=How a Padma Awardee's Dhaak Has Given Strength To 150 Women In This Bengal Hamlet |url=https://hindi.thebetterindia.com/inspiring-indians/women-dhaki-group-in-bangal-started-by-gokul-chandra-das/ |website=The Better India (Hindi) |access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="Sanmarg">{{Cite web |title=Gokul Chandra Das made 150 women self-reliant in the field of Dhak |url=https://sanmarg.in/bengal-news-hindi/gokul-chandra-das-made-150-women-self-reliant-in-the-field-of-dhak |website=Sanmarg |access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref>

== Recognition ==
Das has performed in major festivals across India and has represented Indian folk culture on global platforms. His recognition with the Padma Shri in 2025 brought attention to the role of grassroots artists in India’s cultural landscape.<ref name="IndianExpress">{{Cite web |title=Dhaki Samrat Gokul Chandra Das: From village beats to Padma Shri |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/dhaki-samrat-gokul-chandra-das-padma-shri-award-guruji-9799723/ |website=The Indian Express |date=26 January 2025 |access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="FPJ">{{Cite web |title=Padma Shri Awards 2025: From Goa's freedom fighter to empowering women in Dhak in WB, 30 unsung heroes recognised |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/padma-shri-awards-2025-from-goas-freedom-fighter-to-empowering-women-in-dhak-in-wb-30-unsung-heroes-recognised |website=Free Press Journal |access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="News18">{{Cite web |title=Gokul Chandra Das from North 24 Parganas to receive Padma Shri award |url=https://bengali.news18.com/news/national/padma-awards-2025-gokul-chandra-das-from-north-24-parganas-to-receive-padmashri-award-arc-2031864.html |website=News18 Bengali |access-date=17 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=পদ্মা অ্যাওয়ার্ডস‑২০২৫: উত্তর ২৪ পরগনার বাসিন্দা গোকুল চন্দ্র দাস পেলেন পদ্মশ্রী |url=https://bengali.abplive.com/district/north-24-paraganas/padma-awards-2025-north-24-parganas-resident-gokul-chandra-das-got-padma-shri-awards-1117270 |website=ABP Live বাংলা |date=26 January 2025 |access-date=17 June 2025 |language=bn}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Padma Shri]]
* [[Dhak (instrument)]]
* [[Indian folk music]]

== References ==
<references />

{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Das, Gokul Chandra}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian percussionists]]
[[Category:Indian folk musicians]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]]
[[Category:People from North 24 Parganas district]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Gokul Chandra Das - Revision history

TeresitaBunch at 18:42, 13 March 2026