The dholak is a very popular double-headed drum from North
Indian folk music. The difference in diameter between the bass head and the
treble head is relatively small. To get a powerful bass sound the bass head has
a special paste attached to the inside. Unlike many other Indian drums the
dholak has plain skins on both sides. Therefore it can be played either with
the typical Indian fingering techniques, or with the whole hand like most
African and South American drums. The heads are tuned with a cotton-cord that
goes through both heads and movable metal rings.
Donated by Indian Embassy in Malaysia