The Dhol
The Dhol is a double-headed drum that produces bass and treble sound. Widely used throughout the Indian subcontinent, the Dhol is played all over India, Pakistan and Bangladesh – primarily northern areas such as Panjab, Haryana, Dehli, Gujrat, etc…
A Dhol player is commonly referred to as “Dholi” and are known for being energetic, expressive and dramatic in their performance, bringing an uplifting intensity that is rarely matched by any other form of percussion.
Playing the Dhol
The Dhol is traditionally played with two wooden sticks, mostly made of bamboo and cane wood. The stick used to strike the bass head of the drum is known as the “dagga” and shaped in a hooked fashion. The “dagga” is the heavier stick out of the two, used to create the booming bass sound the helps drive the rhythm of the Dhol.
The stick used to strike the treble head is known as the “tihli”. A light, thin and straight stick, the “tihli” is used to create the high notes and brings a level of intricacy to Dhol playing that aids in immersing the listener and drawing them in.
Purpose & Practice
The Dhol has various roles in Asian culture. Some of the most popular purposes of the Dhol are in live Bhangra performance, Sufi peformance and other traditional Indian musical performance.
The Dhol also has a high significance in the role is plays in cultural traditions, most commonly in Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi wedding ceremonies such as the Sangeet, Mehndi, Valima (or Walima), Wedding ceremony and Wedding reception events among many others.
For more information on the services I offer, please head over to the services page for more information. Alternatively, if you already know where you would like me to play for your special private function, contact me to make a booking today.