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title: 'What is a pakhawaj?'
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date: '2026-10-19T01:07:09+00:00'
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summary: 'A pakhawaj is a double-headed barrel drum carved from wood, the main percussion of dhrupad, played across the lap with both hands.'
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  FAQ · Instruments & artforms

# What is a pakhawaj?

 Updated 19 October 2026

 A [**pakhawaj**](/instrument/pakhawaj) is a double-headed barrel drum, the main percussion instrument of [dhrupad](/vocal/hindustani-classical/dhrupad). Craftsmen carve the shell from a single block of jackwood or tun wood, and braided leather lacing holds the two heads. The player sits cross-legged with the drum across the lap: the right hand plays pitched strokes on the treble head, and the left strikes the bass head and presses it to bend the pitch. The drum predates the tabla by several centuries. [Aditya Dip](/artist/aditya-dip) plays pakhawaj with KalaSudha.



 

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 ## Related pages

 2 pages mention this question

 

 ###  Artists (1) 

- [   Aditya Dip Aditya Dip, pakhawaj player from Varanasi trained by Pandit Shrikant Mishra. Dhrupad accompanist and soloist. Teaches with the KalaSudha academy; official UK…     ](/en-in/artist/aditya-dip)
 
  ###  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-in/instrument/pakhawaj)
 
  

 

 

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