Dholak

The dholak is the drum that carries a room full of singers.

Bhajan, kirtan, qawwali, folk songs, weddings: wherever people sing together in North India, a dholak is usually keeping time. It is easier to start than tabla and rewarding on the first evening, which makes it the instrument we most often recommend to someone who wants to accompany singing rather than perform solo.

Dholak or tabla for devotional singing? Dholak. It is the traditional drum for group devotional music, quicker to learn, and loud enough to lead a hall without a microphone. Tabla is a classical solo and accompaniment instrument and a much longer road.

Why bolt tuning? A spanner and two minutes and the drum is in tune and stays there. Traditional rope lacing looks romantic and takes real skill to adjust, which is not what you want before a program.

Mango or sheesham? Sheesham is denser, slightly warmer, heavier and costlier. Mango keeps weight and price down and still sounds honest. If you play out regularly, take the sheesham.

Related: the naal if you want tabla articulation at folk volume, and All Indian Drums for the full range.

$319 to $749. Prices include free shipping to the USA, UK, Germany, Australia and many more countries.

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  • Maharaja Musicals Dholak, Mango Wood, Bolt-Tuned

    Maharaja Musicals Dholak, Mango Wood, Bolt-Tuned (No. 104)

    Maharaja Musicals Dholak, Mango Wood, Bolt-Tuned (No. 104)
    $319.00
  • Maharaja Musicals Padded Gig Bag, 19"

    Maharaja Musicals Dholak Gig Bag, Padded, 22" (No. 439)

    Maharaja Musicals Dholak Gig Bag, Padded, 22" (No. 439)
    $80.00
  • Maharaja Musicals Dholak, Mango Wood, Rope-Tuned

    Maharaja Musicals Dholak, Mango Wood, Rope-Tuned, Natural (No. 105)

    Maharaja Musicals Dholak, Mango Wood, Rope-Tuned, Natural (No. 105)
    $339.00
  • Maharaja Musicals Dholak, Sheesham, Bolt-Tuned

    Maharaja Musicals Dholak, Sheesham, Bolt-Tuned (No. 129)

    Maharaja Musicals Dholak, Sheesham, Bolt-Tuned (No. 129)
    $349.00
  • Vijay Vhatkar Dholak, Sheesham, Bolt-Tuned, Natural

    Vijay Vhatkar Dholak, Sheesham, Bolt-Tuned, Natural (No. 498)

    Vijay Vhatkar Dholak, Sheesham, Bolt-Tuned, Natural (No. 498)
    $749.00
  • Maharaja Musicals Gajra Dholak, Mango Wood

    Maharaja Musicals Gajra Dholak, Mango Wood (No. 271)

    Maharaja Musicals Gajra Dholak, Mango Wood (No. 271)
    $349.00
  • Maharaja Musicals Dholak, Sheesham

    Maharaja Musicals Dholak, Sheesham, Rope-Tuned, Natural (No. 223)

    Maharaja Musicals Dholak, Sheesham, Rope-Tuned, Natural (No. 223)
    $349.00
  • Maharaja Musicals Dholak, Mango Wood, Bolt-Tuned, Black

    Maharaja Musicals Dholak, Mango Wood, Bolt-Tuned, Black (No. 60)

    Maharaja Musicals Dholak, Mango Wood, Bolt-Tuned, Black (No. 60)
    $339.00
  • Maharaja Musicals Dholak, Mango Wood, Rope-Tuned, Black

    Maharaja Musicals Dholak, Mango Wood, Rope-Tuned, Black (No. 302)

    Maharaja Musicals Dholak, Mango Wood, Rope-Tuned, Black (No. 302)
    $339.00

Questions we get asked

Dholak or tabla for bhajan and kirtan?
Dholak. It is the traditional drum for group devotional singing, easier to learn, and loud enough to lead a hall without a microphone.
Why bolt tuning?
A spanner and two minutes, and your drum is in tune and stays there. Traditional rope lacing sounds romantic and takes real skill to adjust.
Mango or sheesham?
Sheesham is denser, a touch warmer, heavier and costlier. Mango keeps the weight and price down and still sounds honest. Playing out regularly? Take the sheesham.