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Garah
The simple earthen
pitcher serves as a
musical instrument
in a number of folk
songs. The Garah
player strikes its
sides with rings
worn on fingers of
one hand and also
plays on its open
mouth with the other
hand to produce a
distinct rhythmic
beat. |
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Toomba
Toomba is a famous
folk instrument of
Punjab, which is
entirely based on
Iktara (single
stringed
instrument), used by
the legend singers.
Now it's been
adopted by a number
of Punjabi folk
singers. Toomba is
made of wooden
sticks mounted with
a Toomba or wooden
resonator covered
with skin. A
metallic string is
passed on a
resonator over a
bridge and tied to
the key at the end
of the stick. The
string is struck
with a finger or
sometimes with the
Mizrab, and the
Swaras are made by
pressing the string
to the stick. |
Dhol
Dhol is a favourite
folk instrument of
Punjab. It is a
percussion
instrument, which is
used not only at
male dance
performances but
also during social
rituals and festive
celebrations. The
drummer is called
Dholi or Bharaj. The
dhol is a
barrel-shaped wooden
drum with a mounted
skin on both sides.
It is played with
two different types
of wooden sticks.
The skin on either
side is tightened at
a different pitch. |
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Dhad
Dhad is a small
percussion
instrument of the
Damru style. Held in
one hand, it is
struck on either
side, with the other
hand holding the
skinned sides
vertically or
horizontally. This
instrument has been
very popular with
the Dhadies, who
sing traditional
ballads of brave
warriors and heroes
drawn from history. |
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Chimta
This is a percussion
twang-type
instrument used in
Punjab and
neighbouring areas.
The tradition of
playing it with
songs goes back to
the Naths or Jogis.
This instrument
consists of two
long, flat pieces of
iron with pointed
ends, and rings
mounted on it. The
joint is held in one
hand, while the two
parts are struck
with each other to
produce tinkling
sounds. Chimta has
become popular in
professional singing
and devotional music
in temples. |
Sarangi
Sarangi is a popular
bowed instrument in
Punjab. It is wooden
instrument about two
feet long, cut from
a single log covered
with parchment. A
bridge is placed in
the middle. The
sides of the Sarangi
are pinched so as to
bow it. The
instrument usually
has three major
strings of varying
thickness, and the
fourth string is
made of brass, used
for drone. Modern
sarangis contain
35-40 sympathetic
strings running
under the main
strings. This is
used for
accompaniment by
artists and is an
ideal instrument for
producing all types
of Gamks and Meends. |
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Bugdhu
This is a stringed
instrument made of
dried gourd (Ghia).
A piece of skin is
mounted on one side
of the hollowed
gourd while the
other side is kept
open. A gut string (Tand)
is crossed through
the centre of the
skin and a small
piece of wood is
tied to the end of
the string, which
passes through the
body of the gourd.
To maintain a
drum-like rhythm,
the string is
stretched or
loosened while
playing. |
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Algoza
Algoza consists of a
pair of wooden
flutes. It is also
called Jori (a pair)
and is played by one
person using only
three fingers on
each side. Folk
singers of Punjab
use this in their
traditional legend
singing like Mirza,
Chhalla, Jugni etc.
The instrument is
also used as
accompaniment with
folk dances. |