What should I look for when buying a student or professional pakhawaj?

When buying a student or professional pakhawaj, compare the shell first, then the two heads. In Musical Instruments of India (1978), B. Chaitanya Deva describes a pakhawaj 60 cm long, with a right head of 16 cm and a left head of 25 cm. The right head carries the permanent syahi, so its skin deserves the closest look. Check, too, that the wedges and a cover come with the drum.

KalaSudha sells student drums from North Indian workshops and concert drums from established craftsmen in Varanasi and Rajasthan. Ours suit the dhrupad student and the concert accompanist: ask us for a quote, or for a pakhawaj made to order.