Most people who buy a tabla have never heard of Khamanon. That is about to change.
Khamanon is a small town in District Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab — about 60 km from Ludhiana, 80 km from Chandigarh. It does not appear in music history books. It is not a city associated with classical performance. But for anyone who cares about where their tabla actually comes from, Khamanon is one of the most important names to know.
Why Khamanon?
Punjab has a long history of instrument craft. The same region that produces master tabla players has, for generations, also produced master tabla makers. Khamanon sits in the middle of this tradition — a town where the craft of tabla making has been passed down through families and workshops for decades.
The raw materials for tabla making are available in Punjab: sheesham (Indian rosewood) grows in the region and has always been the wood of choice for dayan shells. Leather craft is a traditional industry in the area. The skills required to apply syahi — the distinctive black composition on the dayan playing face — were developed here and have been refined over generations of practice.
Punjab Music House: 20+ Years in Khamanon
Our workshop has been making handcrafted tabla sets in Khamanon for over 20 years. The karigars who work here are not assembly-line workers. Each one understands the complete process: wood selection, shell turning, leather fitting, baddhi stringing, and syahi application.
The syahi is the most skill-intensive part. It is applied in multiple layers, with the karigar listening to the tone at each stage and adjusting composition and thickness until the target tonal character is achieved for that specific drum. This cannot be automated. It requires years of experience and a trained ear.
What Khamanon-Made Means for Your Tabla
When you buy from Punjab Music House, you are buying a tabla that was physically made in Khamanon by people who have spent years developing this craft. Not assembled from imported components. Not factory-finished to a price point. Made here, by hand, for a specific musical purpose.
This is the reason a teacher can hear the difference in the first three strikes.
Visit Us
If you are in Punjab and want to see the workshop, WhatsApp us at +91 88722 71507 to arrange a visit. We will show you how a tabla is made from wood to finished instrument.
Browse our handmade tabla sets or contact us directly.
Punjab Music House | Khamanon, District Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab