Percussion
Pakhawaj
ਪਖਾਵਜ
Classical North Indian tradition
History
The pakhawaj is the ancient parent drum of both the jori and the tabla. It accompanied dhrupad singing across North India for centuries and is the original kirtan drum for the slow, sustained dhrupad-style Gurbani gayan that the Gurus practised.
An ancient two-headed barrel drum played horizontally with both hands. Predecessor of the jori and the tabla, it produces deep, resonant strokes and is closely tied to dhrupad-style singing of Gurbani.
Tuning & playing guide
Played horizontally across the lap. The right (treble) head is tuned to the singer's Sa using the wooden gattas and a small hammer — tap them downward to raise pitch, upward to lower. The left (bass) head is loaded with fresh atta dough before each session for the deep resonant tone.
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Always apply fresh atta dough to the bass head before playing and remove it after — leaving old dough on attracts mould and rots the skin. Keep the drum off cold floors; use a ring cushion to support it. Tune by tapping the wooden blocks (gattas) with a small hammer, evenly around the head. Oil the wooden shell lightly once or twice a year.