---
url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/how-do-pakhawaj-students-learn-bols'
title: 'How do pakhawaj students learn bols?'
author:
  name: rajeevk
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date: '2026-10-19T15:00:15+00:00'
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summary: 'Pakhawaj students recite each composition aloud in bols, a practice called padhant, before playing it on the drum.'
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 FAQ · Instruments & artforms

# How do pakhawaj students learn bols?

 Updated 19 October 2026

 

Every **[pakhawaj](/instrument/pakhawaj)** stroke has a spoken syllable, or bol. Students recite a composition aloud, a practice called padhant, before they play it, and a composition can be recited without the drum. The Punjab-Sikh lineage names three playing styles: sath, full-handed and the oldest; jat, with a full-handed bass and fingers on the treble; and gat, with fingertips and wrist pressure on the bass.



 

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## Related pages

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###  Instruments (1) 

- [   Pakhawaj The pakhawaj is a double-headed North Indian barrel drum, the primary percussion of dhrupad and dhamar. It is played horizontally, in deep bols, with fresh…     ](/en-gb/instrument/pakhawaj)
 
  

 

 

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