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[[File:Bugchu.jpg|thumb|ਬੁਗਚੂ]]{{Punjabis}}
'''Bugchu''' ({{langx|pa|ਬੁਘਚੂ}}), also spelled as '''Bughchu''', '''Bugdu''' or '''Bughdu''', is a traditional musical instrument native to the [[Punjab region]].<ref name="l">{{cite web | url=http://www.likhari.org/archive/amarjit%20babri/babri.htm | title=ਮੈਂ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਬੋਲਦਾਂ!! | publisher=www.likhari.org | work=An article about old Punjab in Punjabi | accessdate=March 17, 2012 | author=ਅਮਰਜੀਤ ਬਬਰੀ | archive-date=August 9, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809231119/http://www.likhari.org/archive/amarjit%20babri/babri.htm | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="pp">{{cite web | url=http://www.punjabiportal.com/forum/chappar-mela-t1192.html | title=ਮੇਲਾ ਛਪਾਰ ਦਾ - ਛੇ ਕੁ ਦਹਾਕੇ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ | publisher=www.punjabiportal.com | work=Article in Punjabi | accessdate=March 17, 2012 | author=ਪ੍ਰੋ. ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਗਰੇਵਾਲ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101015741/http://www.punjabiportal.com/forum/chappar-mela-t1192.html | archive-date=November 1, 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref> It is used in various cultural activities like folk music and folk dances<ref name="pil">{{cite web | url=http://www.punjabinfoline.com/story/6994 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130419000700/http://www.punjabinfoline.com/story/6994 | url-status=dead | archive-date=April 19, 2013 | title=65ਵੇਂ ਅਜ਼ਾਦੀ ਦਿਹਾੜੇ ਦੇ ਅਵਸਰ 'ਤੇ ਖੇਤੀਬਾੜੀ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਨੇ ਕੌਮੀ ਝੰਡਾ ਲਹਿਰਾਇਆ | publisher=www.punjabinfoline.com | work=Article in Punjabi | accessdate=March 17, 2012 | author=ਪੀ. ਐਸ. ਗਰੇਵਾਲ }}</ref> such as [[Bhangra (dance)|bhangra]],<ref name=hh>{{cite web|url=http://hindustanheritage.org/hindustanheri/Bhangra.aspx|title=The Art of Bhangra|publisher=www.hindustanheritage.msg|accessdate=11 Mar 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20140112154124/http://hindustanheritage.org/hindustanheri/Bhangra.aspx|archivedate=2014-01-12}}</ref> [[Malwai Giddha]]<ref name=unp>{{cite web|url=http://www.unp.me/f16/malwai-giddha-100586/|title=Malwai Giddha|author=|date=22 August 2010|publisher=www.unp.me|accessdate=10 Mar 2012}}</ref> etc. It is a simple but unique instrument made of wood. Its shape is very similar to the [[damru]],<ref name=unp/> an Indian musical instrument. It makes a sound similar to its name, "''bugchoo''".
==Design and playing==
The bughchu is an [[hourglass]]-shaped gourd with stretched skin on heads. A thick cord or string pierces the center of the skin and a knob of wood is tied to the other end of the string.<ref name=dhe>{{cite web|url=http://www.dholetc.com/bugchu.php|title=Bugchu|work=Buy instruments online|publisher=www.dholetc.com|accessdate=11 Mar 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608064530/http://www.dholetc.com/bugchu.php|archivedate=2012-06-08}}</ref>
The instrument is held in a crook of the arm and the string is held in the palm of the same hand that holds the instrument.<ref name=dhe/> Then the taut string is plucked with the other hand's fingers or with a striker to produce a unique sound.<ref name=dhe/>
The pitch of the sound is controlled by increasing or decreasing the tension on the string while plucking the string. Increasing the tension raises the pitch and decreasing the tension decreases the pitch.
==See also==
*[[Folk instruments of Punjab]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
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[[Category:Punjabi music]]
[[Category:Punjabi culture]]
[[Category:Folk instruments of Punjab]]