LUCKNOW, Feb. 1 -- Women dhakis from Bengal have beaten mockery and discouragement hollow, striking positive notes on their journey of empowerment, creative satisfaction and personal fulfilment to emerge as beacons of change in a male preserve.

A major attraction at the ongoing Sanatkada Festival in Lucknow, the all-women dhaki troupe has carved out an identity for itself, gained financial independence and turned the tables on past critics who now applaud and admire their skills as they perform under the renowned percussionist and Padma Shri awardee Gokul Chandra Das.

"Earlier people criticised us, mocked us and even looked down upon us. Today, the same people come and tell us they saw us on TV or read about us in newspapers and that th...