Bhubaneswar, Nov. 13: Traditional dhudki artistes are tying up with contemporary musicians and singers to revive the tradition of playing the folk instrument that is gradually fading into oblivion.

Sadashiba Maharana, 50, is one such dhudki player, who works flawlessly on the string instrument and can also sing continuously for over seven hours.

He has recently collaborated with album directors to take his art form to a larger audience. "Limiting ourselves to singing at village functions and fairs will not help to popularise our folk instrument. So, we are trying to add a contemporary touch to it to broaden our reach," said Sadashiba.

He has already worked in a number of music albums produced by a popular music company based in the city. Like Sadashiba, a number of other dhudki players are taking similar attempts to get into the cultural mainstream.

"People feel that folk instruments cannot be used while making modern music. We are trying to change the idea and concept. Innovative music can be produced by employing traditional instrument," said Ananta Behera, another dhudki player.

The instrument was once a part of the festival of danda nata, but gradually when more dhudki players came to the fore, it turned into an art form where the practitioner played it and composed songs simultaneously.

Initially, a dhudki player was accompanied by members of the transgender communities who danced to the beats of the instrument.

The trend has witnessed a shift in the past few years with female folk dancers taking over the tradition.

A number of musical organisations in the city are also conducting shows collaborating dhudki and contemporary singers.

A musical night was hosted by the Devadasi Dance Academy in the city yesterday where Maharana performed with popular playback singer of the Odia film industry Aseema Panda.

The combination of the filmy songs and the dhudki music created an interesting atmosphere.

"I am not acquainted with dhudki and this was my first attempt to sing to the beats of a folk instrument. But, I thoroughly enjoyed performing with him and a number of people from the audience congratulated us. This is a nice attempt to attract audience. I would try to perform at more such shows that promote the traditions of the state," said the singer.