History
| Dhol history |
| Written by Administrator | ||||
| Friday, 11 July 2008 00:00 | ||||
 Dhol - the cultural emblem of the Panjabi Folklore. The Dhol drum dates back to the 15th century. It was used in war and later in the Punjab region of India to keep farmers going at work. This drum became the ground roots of Bhangra music as we know it today. Dhol is a double-sided barrel drum (straight barrels also exist) played mostly as an accompanying instrument to the traditional Punjabi dance of Bhangra. The drum is played using two wooden sticks, usually made out of bamboo and cane wood. The most common rhythm played on the Dhol is the Chaal, which consists of 8 beats per measure. The stick used to play the bass side of the drum is a bit thicker (roughly about 10 mm in diameter) and is bent in a quarter-circular arc on the end that strikes the drum, the dagga. The other stick is much thinner and flexible and used to play the higher note end of the drum, the thili. The drum is slung over the neck of the player with a strap usually made up of ropes or woven cloth. The surface of the wooden barrel is in some cases decorated with engraved or painted patterns. The Dhol has been largely linked to the Bhangra dance [harvest festival] of this region. The harvest festival dance is a worldwide celebration of cultivation of the land and the growth of the harvest which feeds the population. The waters of the Himalayas come down and nourish the harvest and celebrations of the bumper crops and this brought about in joy and dancing by the farmers of Punjab. This is the origins of the Bhangra dance is as a way of life of the villagers and the farmers, the movements and exercises in the Bhangra dance are expressions of how the farmer s are seen in their daily work as digging the land sowing of the seeds, the harvesting the crop, loading onto the oxen carts and taking it to the market. The month of Vaisakhi arrives and the farmer having money in his pockets takes his family to the Vaisakhi mela and bys presents and enjoys the festivities and sees the Bhangra dance's and willingly join in without considering on lookers when he hears the rhythm of the mighty Punjabi Dhol. The Dhol is a much respected and loved percussion instrument by the communities of Punjab the Dhol is used to guide and instructs dancers when performing the Bhangra dance. it’s also been used in villagers as to attract the attention of the people and inform them of local events and news linked to the regions [similar to a town crier in England ringing his bell].The Dhol has also been played at religious gatherings as the remembrance of Gugga peer where the beat known as the thamal is played in its three different tempos. The Dhol has also been linked to the Sikh religion as an acompliment to the Gatka [the Sikh use of weaponry and art of close combat].The Dhol can been seen being played with great vigour and exuberance at the Vaisakhi mela's. As the people from the Indian sub continent settled in Great Britain in the 60s and 70s, as most communities the Punjabis brought their religion, culture and traditions with them. In those days there were a small number of singers and musicians who would gather at family events and small social gatherings and sing and dance remembering there way of life in Punjab. This brought about great joy and happiness to all involved and led to Punjabi folk groups and Bhangra dance groups forming and performing mainly around the areas populated by Punjabi's Southall; the midlands and some in the north of England. The Dhol was brought over from Punjab and played by first and second generation individuals who played simple rhythms but pleasing to the ear that would create much interest and foot taping leading to people getting up and dancing. The 70s and 80s the Dhol became a symbol of identity for Punjabis in England as Bhangra groups emerged and performances were seen at weddings and multicultural events, the Dhol was even seen at football and kabbadi tournaments around the country. Some popular names such as the Saathi group; Diwana group, Punjab group, Tranga, group, the Jugnu group and the great Indian Dancers were the popular Bhangra troupes of that erea. The Dhol was the lead instrument in the Bhangra dance, and groups at that time were seen as a ling with the Punjab as the costumes and the dance represented the way of life and the colours of the land. The Bhangra groups initiated the way forward for the growth of popular culture and the emergence of Bhangra music pop bands. The 80s and the 90s the Dhol became a much loved instrument by all communities and was included in all major Bhangra bands. some traditional Dhol players such as[Harbhans Lall Jogi and Lall Chand Patti] on tour, gave inspiration to Dhol players here which brought about change in the style of Dhol playing from simple beats to more light classical and north Indian beats. This gave rise to some prominent Dhol in players emerging in England and developing their own styles. From the 1990s and into the 21st century the Dhol became a household name and a must have instrument as the rise of Dhol groups around the country created a frenzy of Dhol playing. Almost at every gathering of Punjabi people they played a major role such as family celebrations birthdays, weddings; the jago, leaving the grooms house, entering the reception hall and so on. This type of Dhol activity has enabled other communities to learn and share the richness in Punjabi culture. The Modern Dhol The Dhol will have influences on many different styles of music and dance but what it won't ever lack is the heart thumping and blast of the BHANGRA BEAT. Source: Narinder Winnie Dhol player [student of Harbhans Lall Jogi] and Bindi Sandhu [MediaXY]
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