Pune | September 8, 2026 — Health screenings of more than 2,500 dhol-tasha performers in Pune have found health problems in about two out of every 10 participants, prompting the city’s dhol-tasha federation to expand medical checks across groups preparing for the upcoming Ganeshotsav processions.
The screening campaign is being conducted by the Dhol-Tasha Federation, Pune city committee, with support from Sahyadri Saraswati Karad Hospital. Organisers said the initiative is being held in phases and is intended to cover performers from all dhol-tasha groups in the city.
According to doctors involved in the programme, the tests have identified low haemoglobin levels, high cholesterol or excess body fat and vitamin deficiencies among some performers. The screening includes blood tests, checks for white blood cells, haemoglobin, platelets and vitamins B and D, along with measurements of height, weight and blood group.
Pune has around 170 dhol-tasha groups, according to information provided by the federation. The groups have an estimated 15,000 performers, and the examinations are being conducted in stages. More than 2,500 performers had been screened when the report was published.
Dr Tushar Khachane, chief executive officer of Saraswati Karad Hospital, said about two in 10 performers examined so far had unsatisfactory haemoglobin levels. He also said higher body-fat levels and vitamin deficiencies had been found among some participants.
The health campaign also includes examinations for parents of the performers. Doctors involved in the programme said health-related problems were detected in approximately 30% to 35% of the parents examined.
The federation said annual health checks are conducted by individual groups, but this is the first year it has decided to organise examinations for performers across the city. The initiative comes as groups undertake physically demanding, prolonged practice sessions ahead of the festival season.
The Indian Medical Association’s Pune branch is separately conducting CPR training for dhol-tasha performers. The programme, called Sanjeevani, began on August 16 and is expected to involve more than 800 performers. The training is intended to help participants respond if someone falls ill during a Ganeshotsav procession.
Dr Alka Kshirsagar, president of the association’s Pune branch, provided details of the CPR training. Federation office-bearer Shirish Thite said the wider medical-screening programme would continue in phases, with the stated aim of examining about 15,000 performers.
The federation and its medical partners have not announced a final date for completing the citywide screening programme. Further examinations and CPR sessions are expected to continue as preparations for the Ganeshotsav processions proceed.
