Dear Friends


I wanted to announce the "publication" of my work on "Dhol in Punjabi Culture." This is my 1000+ page dissertation about dhol-- its history, construction, cultural functions, players, etc. It includes the details of scores of different rhythms (in a form of musical notation). It talks about the various communities that play dhol, with bios on the lineages of many artists. Nestled within it are extensive histories of dances like bhangra, jhummar, and sammi. This work was over a decade in the making, including 4 stays in India and 2 trips to Pak...it's ridiculous how much time, sweat, and money it took out of me. To be honest, it really screwed up my finances and set my life on a weird course. But it is finished -- as of last July -- and the publication service, ProQuest/UMI has finally got it up on their site to offer for order.


The link to order a copy is here:
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=2203778381&Fmt=7&clientI d=79356&RQT=309&VName=PQD


I'd suggest that if you want more info, look at the "Preview" and read the table of contents (towards the end). This is the largest, most detailed "tome" of info on Punjabi music-culture that you'll find. Sure, it will have its errors here and there (which I work to correct in my on-going research), but the effort was to be as specific, thorough, and honest as possible about everything I saw/read/heard. At 1000 pages, there is probably actually a lot more info than you'll want to know. That is the nature of the dissertation format -- I wanted to include as much as possible for posterity. In the future, I aim to make it into a more concise book (or books), published all fancy, but who knows how many more years that will be?


Indeed, there is quite a delay in getting any new research to the public. (For example, last Feb. I gave an article on Punjabi Popular Music history to a journal and it won't see print until later in 2012.) I have seen a lot of ups and downs in the discussions of this stuff. Keep in mind that when I started the research in 1999, bhangra, for example, was barely starting to be discussed on-line. I remember when I started talking with some people on Punjab.net. Then it went to Punjabonline. At the same time, Dholis.com came just in time to support what was become a huge growth in Desis picking up the dhol. Before then, outside of the real hardcore Punjabi centers, you didn't even see dhol in bhangra comps. Information only then started to spread like wildfire, in forums like this. I think my little site on dhol, which I put up in 2001, put a lot of info out there. I also gave my Master's thesis on dhol/bhangra for free to dozens of people. Without wanting to sound egotistical, I think a lot of that info spread and became the new "common knowledge" (after which the source is forgotten). Well, that is what happens... we should be critical of and careful about what we read...and cite our sources! 




I realize that it seems pretty expensive to buy, but remember that it is 1000 pages (2 volumes)...it actually cost me well over $100 just to print out an unbound copy at my local copy shop, and they are offering a nice hardbound copy here for $75. Softbound, unbound, and PDF copies are less. Also note that it includes countless awesome photos, of ustads, old bhangra shows, dhol construction...well, not countless: 120 "figures," to be exact. The rhythms notated are countless -- for example, many different rhythms for jhummar from different traditions. Please think of all the effort that went into this, and don't pirate/share it. I am supposed to get some (probably really really small) percentage of royalties, and I am truly broke right now (as in poverty). Note that this work is registered (I had to pay to do it!) with the Library of Congress for Copyright, and I intend to pursue violations 


Thanks for your indulgence of my long-windedness (I am an "old" person, heh) and for what might possibly look like an advertisement. Really I am just trying to get the notice out there since, like I said, this has taken so long and it has been long since I've been active in any discussions. 


ਨਵੇਂ ਸਾਲ ਦੀਅਾਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧਾਈਅਾਂ
Gibb Schreffler

1096 pages. DAMN! Props to you.

Gibb sir, many on the forum are well acquainted with your work, and it's cited fairly often in our discussions!

It's truly a joy to know that you are aware of our forum, and we thank you for sharing the fruits of your labor. I hope you see a jump in sales, this type of work is greatly appreciated by the majority of us. Looking forward to ordering a copy at some point and tackling the behemoth.

Best Regards,

Swi

this is awesome and so are you sir. gonna order my copy with my xmas money. thanks so much for all your hard work and dedication.

I actually have a friend doing a masters research project on bhangra at the moment, this will definitely be of great benefit to him.  But I'm definitely going to be getting a copy for myself for some "light" reading and education I applaud and thank you for the effort you put into collating all this information and hope others appreciate it as much.

College students, if you can't afford to buy a copy yourself, you should have your college libraries purchase one. a lot of your universities will gladly buy copies and have them ready for you within a week.

talk to your librarians...at most universities, the librarians are some of the most helpful and underutilized research tools you'll ever find!

Quote from: Govind on January 03, 2011, 03:07:09 AM

College students, if you can't afford to buy a copy yourself, you should have your college libraries purchase one. a lot of your universities will gladly buy copies and have them ready for you within a week.

How would one go about doing this ?

It might already be available through your library's e-databases. My institution appears to have access.

I'm not big on reading but, i'd like to read this publication. His determination and knowledge makes me want to learn more about my culture and the culture of punjab. Props to you for all this hard work hopefully, it will encourage future generations to read your creation and inspire young writers.

I just ordered my copy - Beautiful work sir!