Bugchu (Punjabi: ਬੁਘਚੂ), also spelled as Bughchu, Bugdu or Bughdu, is a traditional musical instrument native to the Punjab region.[1][2] It is used in various cultural activities like folk music and folk dances[3] such as bhangra,[4] Malwai Giddha[5] etc. It is a simple but unique instrument made of wood. Its shape is very similar to the damru,[5] an Indian musical instrument. It makes a sound similar to its name, "bugchoo".
Design and playing
editThe bughchu is an hourglass-shaped gourd with stretched skin on heads. A thick cord or string pierces the center of the skin and a knob of wood is tied to the other end of the string.[6]
The instrument is held in a crook of the arm and the string is held in the palm of the same hand that holds the instrument.[6] Then the taut string is plucked with the other hand's fingers or with a striker to produce a unique sound.[6] The pitch of the sound is controlled by increasing or decreasing the tension on the string while plucking the string. Increasing the tension raises the pitch and decreasing the tension decreases the pitch.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ ਅਮਰਜੀਤ ਬਬਰੀ. "ਮੈਂ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਬੋਲਦਾਂ!!". An article about old Punjab in Punjabi. www.likhari.org. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
- ^ ਪ੍ਰੋ. ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਗਰੇਵਾਲ. "ਮੇਲਾ ਛਪਾਰ ਦਾ - ਛੇ ਕੁ ਦਹਾਕੇ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ". Article in Punjabi. www.punjabiportal.com. Archived from the original on November 1, 2012. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
- ^ ਪੀ. ਐਸ. ਗਰੇਵਾਲ. "65ਵੇਂ ਅਜ਼ਾਦੀ ਦਿਹਾੜੇ ਦੇ ਅਵਸਰ 'ਤੇ ਖੇਤੀਬਾੜੀ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਨੇ ਕੌਮੀ ਝੰਡਾ ਲਹਿਰਾਇਆ". Article in Punjabi. www.punjabinfoline.com. Archived from the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
- ^ "The Art of Bhangra". www.hindustanheritage.msg. Archived from the original on 2014-01-12. Retrieved 11 Mar 2012.
- ^ a b "Malwai Giddha". www.unp.me. 22 August 2010. Retrieved 10 Mar 2012.
- ^ a b c "Bugchu". Buy instruments online. www.dholetc.com. Archived from the original on 2012-06-08. Retrieved 11 Mar 2012.