The Dhol is used throughout India at festivals, fairs and any celebrations. It is most used as an accompanying instrument, especially to the traditional Punjabi dance. The dhol drum dates back to the 15th century and eventually became the ground roots of Bhangra music as we know it today. It is a two-sided drum - cords hold the heads taut on the drum and small rings around the cords provide a mechanism for tightening. The left head, called dhamma, has a heavier sound. The right head is called purha. To play, the dhol drum is beaten with slightly curved sticks.
The Dholak or Dholki is similar but smaller than it’s cousin, the Dhol. They are one of the most widely utilized drums in the folk music of North and Central India. Dholaks are quite easy to play. They are 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. They can be played using an open handed method, or controlled finger playing. The open handed technique is much louder; the controlled finger method is more articulate. They are double-headed with the bass head on one side and the treble head on the other. They are barrel shaped and a mixture of tar, clay and sand is applied to the drum. This mixture lowers the pitch and makes the tone well defined.
