When U.S. President-elect Donald Trump moved the 2025 Presidential inauguration from the West Front of Capitol Hill to inside the Capitol Rotunda, and shifted the main inaugural parade to the Capital One Arena due to extreme cold temperatures, it brought great relief to the Shivam Dhol Tasha Group. The Texas-based percussion ensemble, consisting of 30 men and women of Indian origin, was set to perform at a highly anticipated global event, and the freezing weather had raised concerns about their performance being compromised by the Arctic winds sweeping across Washington.
This marks a historic occasion for the group, as they are likely the first all-Indian ensemble to perform at a U.S. Presidential inauguration since the first one in 1789, when George Washington took the oath of office. The group, which specializes in the dhol-tasha, a traditional Maharashtrian drum ensemble, was apprehensive about how their energetic performance would fare in sub-zero temperatures.
Harish Nehate, the group’s co-founder and a realtor from Irving, Texas, explained, “We are used to playing in Texas’ hot summers, but Washington is dealing with frigid temperatures right now.” Nehate, who plays the dhol, a single-headed, high-pitched gong in the ensemble, emphasized the importance of making sure the performance runs smoothly given the significance of the occasion.
The group had previously gained international attention when they performed at the Howdy Modi event in Houston in 2019, a gathering aimed at showcasing the strategic partnership between India and the U.S. At that event, they greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump with vibrant beats as the two leaders walked around the arena.
On January 20, members of the Shivam Dhol Tasha Group will be dressed in traditional attire — white kurtas, yellow Nehru jackets, and saafaas (turbans) — and will march behind the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard platoons in the inaugural parade. This event will take place after the official inauguration and the Congressional luncheon. The parade will also feature marching bands from U.S. high schools and universities. In typical years, the parade follows the presidential entourage down Pennsylvania Avenue.
Notable performers at this year’s inauguration ceremony include Carrie Underwood, Christopher Macchio, and Lee Greenwood. However, for the Shivam Dhol Tasha Group, their inclusion is a symbolic moment for the India-U.S. relationship. Nehate said, “By just having Indian representation, it’s perhaps a subtle message about India-America friendship.”
The group’s journey began in 2014, when Nehate, a former percussionist in India, and his friend Nikhil Potbhare, a fellow Maharashtrian from Pune, decided to bring the vibrant sounds of Dhol Tasha to the U.S. Potbhare, who moved to the U.S. in 2004, had missed the exuberance of Ganesh Utsav, an important cultural festival in Maharashtra. He said, “Ganpati Utsav felt incomplete without the dhol-tasha. So we decided to bring it to Texas.”
The group started small but quickly grew as other musicians, including technical consultant Sarvesh Marathe, the lead dhol player, joined the ensemble. Though initially focused on religious events like Ganesh Utsav, they soon expanded their focus to global platforms. Their mission was to share their passion for the art form and bring it to wider audiences.
The group has since performed at various events, including for the Dallas Stars during an NHL game in 2023, and at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. They have also played at other sports events and music festivals, constantly experimenting with new beats and musical themes.
Their inclusion in the 2025 inaugural celebrations followed a competitive application process, where their performance was reviewed by a team that included both the President-elect and the Vice President-elect. “The sense of pride is immense because we’re the only group from India,” says Potbhare. He adds, “For the inauguration, our goal is to keep things simple and not overcomplicate the beats.”
The Shivam Dhol Tasha Group’s performance at the U.S. Presidential inauguration is not only a milestone for the group but also a moment of cultural exchange that highlights the growing ties between India and the United States.
Related Topics
- Ceilidh Fundraiser to Support Garnock Valley Pipes and Drums
- Candlelight Concerts Makes Magical Debut in Vizag with a Captivating Piano Performance
- Ambulance Victoria Pipes and Drums Go International at World Championships
