A mainstay of Pakistani wedding celebrations is the dholkis, a pre-wedding event that includes singing, dancing, and family fun. Although many of us recall them as tiny, private family get-togethers, they have now grown into their own elaborate events. And let’s face it, everyone has at least one khala (maternal aunt) or close friend who is an expert player of this little double-headed drum; without them, a dholki wouldn’t be the same.
Although the idea of the dholki has persisted, the songs’ meanings, rhythms, and content have not been passed down through the generations. The dholki is more than just a wedding custom in Punjabi culture; it is a narrative and a cultural institution unto itself.
