Dhadd
Musical instrument
title: "Dhadd" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["punjabi-music", "folk-instruments-of-punjab"] description: "Musical instrument" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhadd" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Musical instrument ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox instrument"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Dhadd |
| ਢੱਡ | |
| names | Dhad, Dhadh |
| image | Dhadd.jpg |
| image_capt | Dhadd |
| classification | Percussion instrument |
| related | udukai |
| musicians | Amar Singh Shaunki |
| builders | Mistry Chanan Ram Bilga |
| articles | Dhadi (music), Music of Punjab, Babu Rajab Ali, Karnail Singh Paras |
| :: |
|name=Dhadd ਢੱਡ |names=Dhad, Dhadh |image=Dhadd.jpg |image_capt=Dhadd |background= |classification=Percussion instrument |hornbostel_sachs= |hornbostel_sachs_desc= |inventors= |developed= |range= |related=udukai |musicians=Amar Singh Shaunki |builders=Mistry Chanan Ram Bilga |articles=Dhadi (music), Music of Punjab, Babu Rajab Ali, Karnail Singh Paras
Dhadd (), also spelled as Dhad or Dhadh is an hourglass-shaped traditional musical instrument native to Punjab that is mainly used by the Dhadi singers. It is also used by other folk singers of the region.
Design and playing
The dhadd is made of wood with thin a waist like an hourglass. The skin on both sides is tightened with ropes that help in holding the instrument firmly together. 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, and is also played with a stick sometimes. The Udukai and the Dhad have similar techniques of playing, but the social significance is different.
;Playing
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Dhadi_Jatha_of_Des_Raj.jpg" caption="Dhadd being played by an artist in the center" alt="Dhadi Jatha Playing Dhadd"] ::
The Dhadd is played by tapping/striking fingers on one of its ends. 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.
Social significance
Dhadd is very closely associated with and mostly used by the Dhadi singers who sing folk, religious and warriors' ballads and history using this along with Sarangi.
References
References
- Nabha, Kahan Singh. "Gur Shabad Ratnakar Mahan Kosh". Bhai Chatar Singh, Jeewan Singh.
- (July 2019). "Dhad of Punjab". www.rajsamandplus.com.
- "DHADD". www.vikramasentamritsar.com.
- (30 Aug 2011). "Dhadi and Dhadd Sarangi". www.punjabijanta.com.
- "DHAD". www.canteach.ca.
- "DHAD". www.chandrakantha.com.
- "Dhadi tradition". www.esikhs.com.
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