Kato ( pa, ਕਾਟੋ), also spelled as Kaato or Katto, is one of the traditional musical instruments of
Punjab
Punjab (; Punjabi: پنجاب ; ਪੰਜਾਬ ; ; also romanised as ''Panjāb'' or ''Panj-Āb'') is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia, specifically in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising ...
.
It is used in various cultural activities specially in folk dances like
Bhangra,
Malwai Giddha Malwai Giddha ( pa, ਮਲਵਈ ਗਿੱਧਾ) is the folk dance of males of Malwa region of Punjab. This dance was originally performed by Babey (old men) and hence is also called ''Babeyan da Gidhha'' but the dance is now performed by younger ...
.
''Kato'' literally means squirrel in
Punjabi and named after its design similar to squirrel but used as a symbol of happiness.
[ In Punjab, when a happy man is asked how he is? He answered, "Ajj Taan Kaato Phullan Te Aa", roughly translated to be the squirrel of his mood on flowers.][
]
Design and playing
It is made of wood. A wooden shape of a squirrel is attached to one end of a stick the player holds the other end of the stick and pulled the ropes tied to the squirrel's mouth and tail and so the wooden squirrel functions and makes low clap sound.[
]
See also
*Dhadd
Dhadd ( pa, ਢੱਡ), also spelled as Dhad or Dhadh is an hourglass-shaped traditional musical instrument native to Punjab that is mainly used by the Dhadi singers. It is also used by other folk singers of the region.
Design and playing
T ...
*Folk Instruments of Punjab Punjabi folk music ( pa, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਲੋਕ ਸੰਗੀਤ) ( pa, پنجابی لوک موسیقی) has a wide range of traditional musical instruments used in folk music and dances like Bhangra, Giddha etc. Some of the instruments are ...
References
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Punjabi culture
Punjabi music
Folk instruments of Punjab