PUNJABI DHOLE

Dholak is one of the most important folk instrument of membraphonic class.It is used for accompaniment for singing and dancing. As such it is accepted as a percussion instrument for varied kinds of music, from modern film music to simple folk songs and dan. The e shell or the main body of the Dholak is hollowed out of a solid block of wood, over the two usually equal size open ends of the hollowed cylinder, parchment is stretched by tightening cords of braces, through leather hoops on both sides.  To achieve tonal variation between the two heads, generally a past of flour and iron filing is fixed on the parchment of the left side to permanently lower the tension of the left side head.

 Punjabi Dhole performance   

Moreover small circular metal rings, loop loop or wooden pieces are passed through the braces which can be pulled on either side, to increase or decrease the tension of the heads.
The right head is kept in high pitch and the left head is kept in low pitch. It is struck on both sides by the hands, fingers,knuckles and part of the palm.A metal ring is sometime tapped on the shell of the instrument.

Dholak is specially played for Bhangra. Bhangra is a lively form of folk music and dance that originates from Punjab. People traditionally performed Bhangrha when celebrating the harvest and wedding. During Bhangra, people sing Punjabi Boliyaan lyrics, at least one person plays the dhol drum, and other people may play the flute, dholak drum, or other musical instruments Dhol is a percussion instrument used in North Indian. This barrel-shaped drum is played with one curved beater and one flat stick for an exciting combination of thumps and slaps. Its big round hollow body is made of Seesham wood. Both the open ends are covered with goatskin that is tightened with the strings running across the body of the Dhole. 

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