To reinforce the feeling of immersion and authenticity, the Entertainment teams spent several weeks in India to immerse themselves in the local culture. They recruited Indian dhol players who play a traditional drum composed of two different skins, with low and high tones. Santosh Rana is one of them.
At 20 years old, this is the first time Santosh has left India. Originally from Rajasthan, he learned to play dhol at the age of six thanks to his father. “The directors of Jungle Book Jive wanted to integrate this instrument into the show. The musicians with whom I used to play with, showed our know-how to the Disneyland Paris teams during their visit to Rajasthan.” says Santosh. Since then, the cast has performed every day on Central Plaza: “I’m proud to play in front of so many people, it’s a first for me. Guests sing and dance: what an incredible atmosphere! »
As diversity and inclusion are strong values at Disneyland Paris, the resort has made every effort to facilitate the integration of Santosh who does not speak French: “Cast Members are particularly kind to us, and we find other ways to communicate. For example, the Production teams called on Navjot, working at Disney’s Sequoia Lodge and originally from the Punjab region, to help us in our interactions. He will be with us until the end of the season. »
“I had already seen Mickey, Minnie and the other Disney Characters when I was a kid on television, but seeing them in person, and especially working with them, is like entering another universe,” Santosh Rana, dhol player of Jungle Book Jive.