pakhawaj

The pakhawaj is a barrel-shaped double-headed drum from the Indian subcontinent. In Hindustani classical music, it serves as a primary rhythmic accompaniment for vocalists and instrumentalists, particularly in the dhrupad repertoire. It is also used in some kathak dance ensembles and in certain modern fusion projects. The instrument's deep, resonant bass and bright treble tones come from its two unequal heads.

Construction and playing: The pakhawaj consists of a wooden shell with a narrow middle and two drum heads made of animal skin. The right-hand head, known as dayan or dagga, is smaller and higher pitched; the left-hand head, bayan, is larger and deeper. The heads are tuned independently and the shell's tension is adjusted to maintain pitch. It is played with the hands and fingers; the player uses a repertoire of strokes and syllables (bols) to articulate rhythms and phrases, coordinating with the raga and tala. The instrument is central to the pakhawāj tradition, where players develop long, intricate rhythmic cycles and accompany vocalists in the dhrupad genre.

History and context: The pakhawaj has ancient roots in North Indian classical music and forms the basis of a number of regional styles and gharanas. It is most closely associated with dhrupad, yet is found in older court music and temple ensembles. While tabla has become more common in many settings, the pakhawaj remains a symbol of classical rhythm in Hindustani music.