2601:602:880:14C0:7C1C:DA30:F48A:ED30: expanded listed of groups

2021-05-07T22:05:47Z

expanded listed of groups

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{{For|the related musical instrument|Dhadd}}

[[File:Sikh musicians.jpg|thumb|alt=A Dhadi Jatha|A Dhadi Jatha (of four dhadis) performing]]

'''Dhadi''' ({{lang-pa|ਢਾਡੀ}} <small>([[Gurmukhi]])</small>, Dhādi), also spelled as '''Dhadhi''', is one who sings ballads using [[Dhadd]]<ref name="mk">{{cite book | title=Gur Shabad Ratnakar Mahan Kosh | publisher=Bhai Chatar Singh, Jeewan Singh (later ed.) | author=Nabha, Kahn Singh | authorlink=Kahn Singh Nabha | year=1930|edition=first | location=[[Amritsar]]}}</ref><ref name=pldhk>{{cite book | title=Punjabi Lok Dhadi Kala | publisher=Unistar Books Pvt. Ltd. | author=Hardial Thuhi | year=2008 | isbn=9788171424849}}</ref><ref name="ti">{{cite news | url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120105/punjab.htm | title='Dhadhis' add zing to poll campaign | work=News in English | date=January 5, 2012 | agency=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] | accessdate=July 22, 2012 | location=[[Bassi Pathana]]}}</ref> and [[Sarangi]],<ref name="dhd">{{cite book | title=Dhadi Darbar | publisher=Oxford University Press | author=Michael Nijhawan | year=2006 | location=United Kingdom | pages=286 | isbn=9780195679670}}</ref> the folk instruments of [[Punjab region|Punjab]]. According to [[Kahn Singh Nabha]]'s [[Mahan Kosh]] the definition of ''dhadhi'' is "One who sings ballads of warriors playing [[Dhadd]]".<ref name=mk/><ref name=ti/> Dhadis are a distinct group performers emerged in the time of [[Sikh gurus]].<ref name=pldhk/><ref name=dhd/><ref name=es>{{cite web|url=http://www.esikhs.com/articles/dhadi_tradition.htm|title=Importance of Dhadi tradition|author=|date=|website=|publisher=www.esikhs.com|accessdate=14 Mar 2012}}</ref><ref name=sh>{{cite web|url=http://www.sikh-heritage.co.uk/arts/musicPunjab/Music%20of%20Punjab.htm|title=DHADHIS|author=|date=|website=|publisher=www.sikh-heritage.co.uk|accessdate=13 Mar 2012}}</ref>

The word ''Dhadi'' can be translated in English to be a ''minstrel'' or ''bard''. The word is used several times in the [[Sikh]] [[religious text]], [[Guru Granth Sahib]], in the meaning of humbleness. In his compositions, [[Guru Nanak Dev|Guru Nanak Dev Ji]] called himself a Dhadhi of God.<ref name=es/><ref name=sh/> The word is also appeared in the writing of the third, fourth and fifth [[Sikh gurus|Guru]] and [[Bhagat Namdev]].<ref name=es/>

Dhadi refers both to a genre of Punjabi music and the performers who play it: a distinctly composed ensemble of ballad-singers. After briefly sketching the long yet hazy background of the art, this article reconstructs its more certain and recent history so far as it can be gleaned from the oral accounts of living dhadi performers. Taken with evidence of recordings—some of the Punjabi industry’s earliest—and the memories of older audience members, a picture is presented of the dhadi genre in its heyday of the early 20th century. The focus is on the dhadis who performed popular ballads; their prominent personalities, geographical distribution, compositional forms, narrative themes, performance manner, and other aspects of the genre are described. The article concludes with biographical sketches of two contemporary dhadis and a selection of texts of dhadi compositions.

== History ==
As the word is used by the Sikh Gurus, it's clear that Dhadis has a history of hundred years.<ref name=es/> The sixth [[Sikh guru]], [[Guru Hargobind]] fostered and promoted the Dhadi art and transformed the tradition from singing the praises of landlords or rulers to sing the praises of the true God.<ref name=es/> Dhadis were mainly emerged in the time of the sixth Sikh master [[Guru Hargobind]] who established the Sikh high court, [[Akal Takhat]], and established Dhadhis to sing the previously composed [[Gurbani]] from [[Guru Granth Sahib]].<ref name=sh/><ref name=ch>{{cite web|url=http://chandrakantha.com/articles/indian_music/dhad.html|title=DHAD|author=|date=|website=|publisher=www.chandrakantha.com|accessdate=13 Mar 2012}}</ref> Later, the contemporary Dhadis repertoire had broadened to include heroic ballads known as [[Vaar]]s.<ref name=es/>

In that age only the lower caste people, i.e. [[Mirasi]]s, used to sing as the profession was not considered to be noble or respectable for higher classes/castes. While Mirasis were [[Muslims]], Dhadis were not confined to a particular religious affiliation.<ref name=sh/> [[Guru Hargobind|Guru Hargobind Sahib]] fostered the Dhadis and refined their repertoire.<ref name=pldhk/><ref name=dhd/><ref name="pddh">{{cite book | title=Panjab De Dhadi | publisher=Original from the University of California | author=Bhaura, Ashok | year=1991 | pages=80}}</ref> Along with singing [[Gurbani]], their songs came to deal with the tales of heroism and valour and was used to entertain as well as to fill the army with warrior's spirit.<ref name=pldhk/><ref name=sh/> Two Dhadis of that age, Bhai Natha and Bhai Abdulla,<ref name=es/><ref name=pddh/><ref name="gssp">{{cite web | url=http://gianisantsinghparas.com/about.php | title=About Giani Sant Singh Paras | publisher=www.gianisantsinghparas.com | accessdate=March 16, 2012}}</ref> are still remembered with respect. Bhai Abdulla was a gifted poet and used to sing his own compositions in the Guru's court.<ref name=pldhk/><ref name=sh/>

== Dhadi Jatha ==
[[File:Dhadi Jatha of Des Raj.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Dhadi Jatha of Des Raj|A performance by a Dhadi Jatha]]
Dhadi Jatha (Jatha means 'a team' or a group) is an ensemble or band of Dhadis which usually consists of three or four Dhadis: one [[Sarangi]] master/player, two dhadd players and one telling the story by a lecture.<ref name=es/> The singers sing one by one or together like chorus according to the lyrics.

The Dhadis today are the integral part of [[Sikh music|Sikh]] and [[Punjabi music]].<ref name=sh/> The tradition has broadened its repertoire, including religious compositions, heroic ballads, folklores, folk love stories, history, romance and other types of folk songs.<ref name=es/><ref name=sh/> Normally, the Jathas are known by the leader's name; for example, Dhadi Jatha of Nirmal Singh Noor.

'''Popularly Known Dhadi Jatha Groups'''

''Dhadi Jatha Jaswant Singh Taan''

''Sarangi Master Karam Singh''

''Dhadi Kuldeep Singh''

''Dhadi Lashkar Singh''

''Late Dhadi Sohan Singh Seetal''

''Late Dhadi Pyara Singh Panchi''

''Late Dhadi Pal Singh Panchi (Son of Pyara Singh Panchi)''

''Dhadi Daya Singh Dilbar''

''Dhadi Kuljit Singh Dilbar(Son of Daya Singh Dilbar)''

== See also ==
* [[Folk Instruments of Punjab]]

== References ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Punjabi singers]]
[[Category:Punjabi music]]
[[Category:History of Sikhism]]
[[Category:Punjabi culture]]

Dhadi (music) - Revision history

2601:602:880:14C0:7C1C:DA30:F48A:ED30: expanded listed of groups