However, their initial attempts at playing the huge double-headed drums were far from music to anyone’s ears.

“At first, we thought it was going to be very easy. It’s just an instrument,” said Rebecca, remarking at how difficult playing the dhol actually turned out to be.

So, the 24-year-old twins turned to YouTube for help.

Rebecca said they watched as many videos as they could and practised tirelessly until they were making sweet music together.

Calling themselves the Rsquare Twins Dholi, they now accept drumming engagements all over the country, performing for restaurant openings and weddings. They even performed in a bar once.

Needless to say, they have gained quite a following not only for their outstanding drumming skills but for being women dhol-players and twins at that!

Dholis are usually males, Rebecca said, and for good reason. The drums are heavy when carried for long periods during a performance and beating the dhol takes enormous amounts of strength.

“You have to hit the dhol very hard, so that it will be much louder and people can feel the vibe. So, the players are usually male,” said Rebecca.

Asked if they feel that they have broken the gender barrier in this respect, Rebecca answered, “Of course yes!”

Rachel added that most people who’ve watched their performances remark how they’re never encountered female dhol players before. And for the few who have, they often add that the twins are nonetheless “unique”.

While it could be because they are female and twins, it could also very well be because Rachel and Rebecca play their drums to Tamil songs, which they believe are more romantic and have “melodious beats”.

As professional dhol-players, the twins have become an inspiration to women wherever they perform, especially little girls, who often ask if they too can play the dhol someday.

Their popularity cuts across racial lines and their 13,300 Instagram followers are made up of many non-Indians.

Rebecca recounted how some Malay guests at a recent Indian wedding approached them after their performance, saying they were “fans”.

“When these Malay people approached us, we felt so good that we were able to share our culture … this Indian vibe with another race,” said Rachel.

The twins make it look easy but carrying the dhol over their shoulders and drumming with wide smiles on their faces is no easy feat. To build up their stamina, Rebecca said they make sure to eat right and work out regularly.

At wedding receptions, when the twins usher in the bride and groom, the dhol is strapped over their shoulders for five to seven minutes at a stretch.

“It’s really heavy to be honest, but if let’s say, we have the energy within ourselves, we will ask each other, are you tired, and if it’s a no, we will just go with it,” said Rachel.

When the drums get too heavy to carry, they are placed on portable chairs so the women can drum with greater ease.

And the twins don’t only drum. They also dance.

“We will play and then at one point we will just drag people up and say, ‘Come, come just vibe with us’ and they will come eventually and they will start to dance, and that’s how we create a good moment for their event or big day,” said Rebecca.

For Deepavali this year, the twins hope that all Malaysians will put aside their differences and come together to celebrate the festival as one.

“Deepavali is a very, very beautiful occasion, it’s not only for Indians but for all Malaysians,” said Rebecca.