khol

Khol is a term that can refer to multiple distinct items in different cultural contexts. It is most commonly used to denote a traditional eye cosmetic and, separately, a double‑headed percussion drum from the Bengal region of South Asia.

Khol, or kohl, is a cosmetic applied around the eyes to darken the eyelids and waterline. It has ancient origins in the Middle East and South Asia and has been made from minerals such as galena (lead sulfide), soot, or antimony compounds, as well as from modern carbon‑ or dye‑based formulations. In many communities, khol is linked to beauty practices, sun protection, and ritual beliefs. Because some historic formulas contained lead, there are safety concerns and regulatory guidance in various countries; contemporary products are typically formulated to reduce health risks.

Khol as a musical instrument refers to a double‑headed drum used in the Bengal region. It is typically carved from wood, with a skin on each end, and played with the hands. The khol is common in devotional and folk music, and it is employed in certain traditional dance and religious performance contexts. Its pitch can be adjusted by altering head tension and by tuning the instrument with rope or hardware around the shell.

The two senses of khol are linguistically and culturally distinct, and the spelling overlap in English does not reflect a shared origin.