Percussion
Dhad
ਢੱਡ
Dhadhi tradition since Guru Hargobind Sahib ji
History
The dhad has been part of the Dhadhi tradition since Guru Hargobind Sahib ji formally established Dhadhi jathas at the Akal Takht to sing of Sikh valour. The squeezed pitch-bend of the dhad mirrors the cadence of the spoken vaar and drives the ensemble.
A small, hourglass-shaped hand drum played by squeezing its tension cords to bend the pitch. Carried by Dhadhi singers who recite vaars of Sikh valour, often paired with the sarangi.
Tuning & playing guide
The two skin heads are tuned roughly an octave apart by tightening or loosening the tension cords down the waist of the drum. Pitch is bent in real time by squeezing the cords during play. Keep both heads dry — humidity kills the bend.
Hear how it sounds
Explore on YouTubeCare
Keep the skin heads dry — humidity makes them go limp and lose the pitch-bend response. Store in a cloth bag, never sealed in plastic. If the strokes start to sound dull, gently warm both heads near (not on) a lamp to tighten them. Check the tension cords for fraying and re-string before they snap.