USD

Dhama / Sikh Jori

The jori is the Punjab's own percussion, and the drums that carried Sikh kirtan for centuries before tabla arrived.

The dhama is the large wooden bass half, played with the palm and traditionally dressed with fresh atta before playing. With the revival of traditional gurmat sangeet and tanti saaz, the jori is returning to kirtan stages that had used tabla for generations.

Jori or tabla? Jori drums are larger, upright, descended from the pakhawaj, and voiced deeper for the older kirtan style. Tabla is the later, smaller, more widespread pair. If you are learning traditional kirtan in a lineage that uses jori, tabla is not a substitute.

Does the dhama really need dough on the head? Traditionally yes. Fresh atta paste on the bass head before playing, removed after, exactly as pakhawaj players do.

$349 to $549. Prices include free shipping to the USA, UK, Germany, Australia and many more countries.

Questions we get asked

Jori versus tabla?

Jori drums are larger, upright and descended from the pakhawaj, voiced deep for the older kirtan style. Tabla is the later, smaller pair the world knows.

Who plays jori now?

Ragis and students of traditional kirtan, and players drawn to the dhrupad side of the tradition. Demand has grown with the revival, and we are glad of it.

Does the dhama really need dough on the head?

Traditionally yes. Fresh atta paste on the bass head before playing, removed after, exactly as pakhawaj players do.