Dholak - Nut and Bolt

This Dholak is a wooden two-headed drum with the heads held in place and tuned by bolts. Held horizontally, both heads are played with the hands (no beaters). In India, these extremely popular percussion instruments are commonly used in folk music and during marriage ceremonies. The shells are manufactured in the northern Indian State of Uttar Pradesh. There locally grown neem and rosewood are used. After transporting to Mumbai the goat skin heads are fitted to the drum shells with nut and bolts for easy tuning. The Load in the bass head is a mixture of tar, clay and sand (dholak masala) which lowers the pitch and provides a well-defined tone.

Approximate length is 17.5 inches (444.5 mm). The bass head has a load inside and is 8.5 inches (215.9 mm). The tenor head 6.5 inches (165.1 mm).

Each drum is unique — all measurements are approximate. Design and color may vary.