Dholak
Dholaks in sheesham and mango wood, rope tuned and bolt tuned, made in our own workshop. Skinned and tuned before dispatch.
Choosing yours
The dholak is the folk and bhajan drum, played horizontally with both hands, and the most forgiving Indian drum for a beginner.
Bolt tuned or rope tuned is the real decision. Bolt tuning holds pitch better and adjusts in seconds with a spanner, which is why most players outside India choose it. Rope is traditional and gives finer control but takes practice.
Sheesham is dense, bright and heavy. Mango is lighter, warmer and costs less. For a drum that travels, mango is often the better answer.
Care and climate
Skins respond to humidity within hours, so the drum genuinely sounds different across seasons. Retune rather than assuming something is wrong.
Slacken the tuning for storage longer than a few weeks, and keep the drum out of direct heat and sun.
Questions we get asked
Rope or bolt tuned?
Bolt holds pitch better and adjusts in seconds. Rope is traditional with finer control but takes practice. Neither sounds better than the other.
Is a dholak good for beginners?
It is the most forgiving Indian drum to start on: played with both hands, useful across folk and devotional music, and light enough to carry.
Sheesham or mango?
Sheesham is brighter and holds tuning well but is heavy. Mango is lighter and warmer. For a travelling drum, mango is usually the sensible choice.