What is "dhak"

n. 1 ''Butea monosperma'', a tree of southern Asia. 2 An Indian percussion instrument.

n. East Indian tree bearing a profusion of intense vermilion velvet-textured blooms and yielding a yellow dye [syn: dak, palas, Butea frondosa, Butea monosperma]

Dhak may refer to:

• Butea monosperma, also known as Palash, Flame of the Forest or Parrot Tree
• Dhak (instrument), a type of drum
• Dhaki, a person who plays the dhak (instrument)

The dhak is a huge membranophone instrument from South Asia. The shapes differ from the almost cylindrical to the barrel. The manner of stretching the hide over the mouths and lacing also varies. It suspended from the neck, tied to the waist and kept on the lap or the ground, and usually played with wooden sticks. The left side is coated to give it a heavier sound.

Drum beats are an integral part of Durga Puja.

The Statesman wrote, "Durga Puja does not assume the festive aura without the maddening beats of the dhak, the large drum that men hang around their necks and play with two thin sticks to infuse the frenzied rhythm into listeners. Those enchanting beats are enough to conjure up the sights and smells of Durga Puja."