.
Popular in Sikh traditions, the larger cousin of the tabla brings a deep-toned flavour to percussive accompaniment
–Raga instruments (full list)–
• Home | Megalist | Search •
—Sukhvinder Singh (Ektal)—
“The jori, also known as the ‘Punjabi pakhawaj’, was created in the court of the 5th Sikh Guru Arjan by two musicians, Satta and Balwand. It emerged from the mridang, which is a one-barrel drum: they cut this instrument into two pieces to create the jori (which means ‘pair’). The sound is much louder and deeper than that of the tabla: this was a practical necessity 300 years ago, before microphones and electrical amplifiers. Thousands of people would sit and listen to Kirtan outdoors, demanding versatile acoustic instruments that could carry the sound. The treble drum (dhaiya) has ink on the skin, and the bass drum (dhama) requires the application of fresh dough: to apply and remove this dough for each sitting involves effort and maintenance…” (Raj Academy)
—More Info—
- Notable performers: Surdarshan Chana (?-), Sukhvinder Singh (1971-), Bhai Baldeep Singh (1969-)
[COMING SOON: click here to hasten the project’s expansion, so all articles & pages can eventually look more like these]
• Hindustani Instruments: Anandi | Bansuri | Bass-Veena | Bazantar | Bulbul Tarang | Cello | Chaturangi | Dilruba | Electric Guitar | Esraj | Fretless Guitar | Harmonium | Jal Tarang | Jori | Mandolin | Mohan Veena | Nal Tarang | Pakhawaj | Piano | Rabab | Rudra Veena | Sagar Veena | Santoor | Sarangi | Sarod | Saxophone | Shehnai | Sitar | Surbahar | Sursagar | Sursingar | Swarmandal | Tabla | Tabla Tarang | Tanpura | Tar Shehnai | Taus | Vichtra Veena | Violin
–Survey of Sa tunings–
• Get started with learning raga! •
Share these ragas! My site is 100% reliant on organic visitors (and none of your donations go to ad agencies…) – share this with fellow sonic searchers!
—Join my PATREON!—
Like everything on my site, the Raga Index will always remain open-access & ad-free: however, anti-corporate musicology doesn’t pay the bills! I put as much into these resources as time and finances allow – so, to hasten the project’s expansion, you can:
• Support the Raga Index! •
—Riyaz-focused notations & bandish—
—Resurrecting rare and ancient ragas—
—Further melodic & geometric analysis—
—Engaging with Hindustani performers—
—Ensuring that high-quality raga knowledge will remain open to all, at no cost: free from commercial motive!—
—Hindustani Raga Index—
An open-ended project seeking to bring North Indian raga closer to all who approach with open ears. Combines direct input from dozens of leading Hindustani artists with in-depth insights from music history, global theory, performance practice, cognitive science, and much more besides!
–Megalist (365+ ragas)–
• Search: Find your new favourite •
• Tags: Classifying the ragascape •
• Glossary: Raga jargon demystified •
• Murchanas: Swara-set rotations •
• Thaat: Bhatkhande’s base scales •
• Ragatable: Analytical connections •
• Tanpuras: Divine overtonal drones •
• Quotes: Musings from raga artists •
• Talas: Hindustani rhythm cycles •
• Instruments: Singing sculptures •
• Masterlist: 1000+ ragas profiled •
Sa | Re | Ga | Ma | Pa | Dha | Ni
¡Random Raga!
—Search the Raga Index—
(NEW: search by swaras/varjits)
• Feedback / Contact •
George Howlett is a London-based musician, writer, and teacher (guitars, sitar, tabla, & santoor). Above all I seek to enthuse fellow sonic searchers, interconnecting fresh vibrations with the voices, cultures, and passions behind them. See Homepage for more, and hit me up for Lessons!
• Projects & articles: full list •
—Join the Patreon!—
• My Music | ‘Guitaragas’ (2025) •
(Get in touch for Zoom lessons!)
my site is ad-free, AI-free, & open-access