PAKHAWAJ

Pakhawaj is the traditional Indian percussion instruments.The larger bass skin is played with the left hand whereas the small trebal skin is played with right hand.The left side is always smeared with weat dough which adds a bass (ghummar) that is,low pitch sound while playing pakhawaj.It can be tuned like Tabla with 8 wooden wedges that are under skin traps (waadi). There are various styles of playing pakhawaj .The mostly used are Drupad and Dhamaar.Unlike Tabla and Pakhawaj compositions are taught by using series of syllabus known as ''Bols''.

The name Pakhawaj and its derivation Pakhawaj originate from the two words, paksha meaning side and waj meaning to play.Together pakshvadya became pakhawaj, meaning the instrument which is played from both sides.Pakhawaj is mainly played in Indian temples either as an accompaniment to vocal music,dhrupad or dhamaar or as an accompaniment to the veena.It is also enjoyed good standing as a solo percussion instrument....