Northern India and Eastern Pakistan
Punjab Region

Wood, buffalo skin, goatskin, fiber, metal 
Mid 20th century
Length: 24.25 inches
Membranophones – Struck Membanophones

The term dhol is used for many types of cylindrical and barrel-shaped drums of South Asia.  This dhol comes from the Punjab region of South Asia which is in both Northern India and Eastern Pakistan. It is related to the dholak or dholki (translates to small dhol), a medium size double-headed cylindrical or barrel drum of South Asia, also found in this collection.  The body of this dhol is conical with lines engraved around the circumference of the drum.  There are two heads that are attached to hoops and laced by cords in a V-shape converted into a Y by metal tuning rings.  These cords feed through two wooden outcroppings in the center.  The larger drumhead has a black paste (syahi) made of flour, iron filings, and egg, burned into a circular area in the center to add weight to the head and adding a second timbre on the same drumhead.  The opposite drumhead does not have this paste. This is also a feature that helps identify the India dhol/dholak from the Nepal madal.  The larger drumhead, known as the dagga in Punjabi, is also thicker, producing a lower pitch. 

The dhol is played using two wooden sticks, usually made out of wood or cane.  One of the sticks is usually bent and used on the dagga (larger drumhead), while the other stick, known as the tihli, is both thinner and flexible and used to play the higher pitches on the smaller drumhead.  The dhol is usually played slung over the shoulder.  Originally many of the rhythms played on the Punjhabi dhol corresponded to specific functions, originating from the old, community dances, worship, and song rhythms.

Reference:  “Dhol,” Alastair Dick, Genevieve Dournon/Andrew Alter. “The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments,” 2nd ed.  Vol.  2, Laurence Libin, Editor in Chief. Oxford University Press, 2014.