DJs back in groove as Kolkata hits dance floor – Times of India

KOLKATA: City discotheques are once again reverberating with chants of DJ wale babu mera gaana chala de, as the return of Kolkata’s nightlife has not only got revellers back on the dance floors, but it has fuelled the demand for disc jockeys (DJ) and the other members who make a party hangout popular. After nightclubs and lounges were shut down in March 2020, several DJs were out of work and had to explore other means of livelihoods.
Even when restrictions were lifted after the first and second waves, the government did not allow party venues to remain open beyond late evening due to night curfew.
Earlier this month the government lifted the night restrictions after which nightclubs and other party places started applying for permission to stay open beyond midnight. With the rise in footfall, the demand for disc jockeys, bar tenders, waitresses and support staff have spiralled. In the last two weeks several nightclubs and hangout zones have hired disc jockeys and bar tenders.
“I was trying to establish myself in the industry after completing my course when the pandemic struck in March 2020 and everything had to be shut down. Suddenly I was out of work. I had started exploring other avenues. In fact I got a few gigs at weddings but the opportunities were few. Last week I received a call from the manager of a discotheque in south Kolkata who asked me to join this weekend,” said Samrat Ghosh, who is popularly known as DJ Sammy.
Several party places are hiring junior DJs too. “Revellers want different types of music and its not possible for one DJ to play till 4am. So we have hired a junior DJ who will play a few sets before our senior pro takes over a little after midnight,” said the manager of a lounge in a five star property.
“We are open till 4 am on weekends and both our party venues are packed. After a two-year break people are stepping out to party which has boosted business. Naturally everyone associated with the industry is benefitted,” said Mohammad Nadim Siddiqui, general manager, operations, The Golden Park Hotel.