Dhadd

Dhadd
ਢੱਡ

Dhadd
Other names	Dhad, Dhadh
Classification	Percussion instrument
Related instruments
udukai
Musicians
Amar Singh Shaunki
Builders
Mistry Chanan Ram Bilga
More articles or information
Dhadi (music), Music of Punjab, Babu Rajab Ali, Karnail Singh Paras

Dhadd (Punjabi: ਢੱਡ), also spelled as Dhad or Dhadh is an hourglass-shaped traditional musical instrument native to Punjab that is mainly used by the Dhadi singers.¹²³⁴ It is also used by other folk singers of the region.

The dhadd is made of wood with thin a waist⁵ like an hourglass.⁶ The skin on both sides is tightened with ropes² that help in holding the instrument firmly together.⁵ Its design is very similar to other Indian drums: the simple Damru, the Udukai, and the sophisticated Idakka. The Damru has knotted cords to strike its ends, but the Dhadd lacks such cords. The Damru is played by shaking/rotating quickly so that the knotted cords strike its ends,²⁶ and is also played with a stick sometimes.² The Udukai and the Dhad have similar techniques of playing, but the social significance is different.

Playing

The Dhadd is played by tapping/striking fingers on one of its ends.²⁵⁷ The pitch of the drum is raised by tightening a small cloth band wrapped around the waist of the drum. Closed and open sounds can also be produced.

Dhadd is very closely associated with and mostly used by the Dhadi singers¹⁴ who sing folk, religious and warriors' ballads and history using this along with Sarangi.⁶⁷