When Sivamani’s beats upped the energy at this monsoon fest

The sound of drums filled the Sunday morning air at the

Osho International Meditation Centre

in Pune, as Indian percussionist

Yudi Dhawale

brought a powerful and moving performance to the spiritual campus. Known for his work with the

Pune Drum Circle

, Yudi played African-style dancing drum beats that had the crowd swaying, spinning, and dancing like they were in a trance. The event saw a large group of Osho followers and visitors moving freely to the rhythm, many of them with closed eyes and smiles on their faces. There was no set choreography, no instruction — just the energy of the beats guiding each person in their own dance. The atmosphere felt almost dream-like, with some even describing the experience as “out of body.”

Yudi believes that drums have a deep connection to the soul. “Drums are like the rhythm of the soul,” he explains. “When a baby is in the womb, the first thing they hear is the mother's heartbeat. That’s like a drumbeat to the ears. Spirituality goes hand in hand with anything that has rhythm. It can be the sound of nature, or the humming of a bird.”

The performance wasn’t just about entertainment. It felt more like a healing session to the attendees. The energy in the space was calm, joyful, and alive. Shanmukha Ankamanal, 56, a follower of Osho who attended the event, shares, “The atmosphere was full of creativity and a healing energy. The music was meditative to the ears and I was extremely pleased to have experienced that.”

Bringing African drum music into an Indian spiritual setting may seem unusual, but it worked beautifully. The rhythms crossed all barriers of culture, language, background, and became something pure and powerful. It reminded everyone present that music is a universal language that speaks directly to the soul. As the final beat faded, there was a sense of peace in the air. Some sat quietly, others hugged, while few continued to sway as if an imaginary beat was still on. What remained was a feeling of deep connection to the self, to each other, and to the rhythm of life itself.