â–¡ A DOUBLE-HEADED DRUM (PAKHAWAJ), PUNJAB, INDIA, 20TH CENTURY

of bulging cylindrical form, with turned decoration, the heads held tight with multiple leather straps, with wood reels (gatte) inserted for tensioning 56cm long; head diameter 17cm

The pakhawaj, which is thought to be the forerunner to the better known tabla, is positioned horizontally in front of the player, who uses both hands to beat each end. For further information and a photograph of a similar example being played at the Sikh centre of Bhaini Sahib in Punjab, see Alka Pande, 'Folk Music and Musical Instruments of Punjab, p.87