Indian double skin drum--Pakhawaj Five Star

The most well-known northern Indian double skin drum that is used especially for accompanying the old northern Indian Dhrupad style, is the Pakhawaj (simlar to the Mridangam in southern India). The quality of the high-pitched skin is quite similar to that of the Tabla. It is also made of different layers. The Pakhawaj is also tuned like the Tabla with wooden wedges that are placed under the tautening straps. The fine tuning is done on the woven outer ring which is part of the skin. The bass skin is traditionally prepared for playing by a batter of flour and water which is freshly applied each time in order to receive its low-pitched sound.