Donali the ancient Balochi double flute

Donali the ancient Balochi double flute

by Peyman Nasehpour

Introduction. In the arid expanses of Balochistan, across both Iran and Pakistan, a hauntingly beautiful melody often floats through the desert air. It emanates from the donali دونَلی a rare and fascinating folk woodwind instrument consisting of twin flutes played simultaneously by a single musician. Related to the South Asian Alghoza الغوزا, the donali is a cornerstone of Balochi traditional sound, turning breath into sustained, mesmerizing poetry.

Etymology. In Persian, Balochi, Urdu and many other Indo-Iranian languages, "do دو" simply means two. On the other hand, "nal نل" refers to a reed, hollow stem, straw, or pipe. It stems from ancient regional terms for natural hollow materials like bamboo or river reeds used to make simple wind instruments. Putting together, "donali دونلی" means two pipes and/or twin reeds. In Persian / Balochi transliterations, it is also referred as "doneli".

Anatomy of the instrument. Donali is constructed from two joined or held reed pipes:

1) The female pipe typically features around ten holes (with six primary fingerings used) and carries the intricate main melody of the piece.

2) The male pipe features several holes (often seven) that are unfingered or partially sealed with natural beeswax to establish a fixed drone or harmonic resonance.

Together, this pairing allows one performer to play both the rhythm/drone and the melody at the exact same time, creating the illusion of two musicians playing in perfect unison.

The mastery of circular breathing. What sets the donali apart from standard flutes is the demanding technique required to play it, beginning with holding both mouthpieces in the mouth at once. To perform, the musician relies on a mastery of circular breathing (known as "purna"), inhaling through the nose while simultaneously pushing air stored in the cheeks through the reeds to create a continuous, unbroken stream that sustains notes indefinitely. This uninterrupted airflow gives the donali its fast, rhythmic, and swinging cadence; a signature sound that is instantly recognizable in regional folk music.

Donali in Balochi music ensembles. While the donali is powerful enough to be played solo, it frequently appears alongside a rich ensemble of traditional Balochi instruments. It is often paired with the "suroz سروز", a bowed string instrument synonymous with the region's folk music, and the "tanburak تنبورک", a long-necked plucked lute that provides essential rhythmic structure. Together with percussion instruments like the "dohlak دهلک" and "tambourine" which drive the energetic speed of regional dances, the donali contributes to a vibrant, layered acoustic experience.

Notable donali masters. Playing the donali is an intricate art form passed down through generations. The most celebrated donali masters are:

1) Shir-Mohammad Espandar (1927 – July 21, 2026) was a master Iranian musician from Bampur in Sistan and Balochistan Province, best known as Iran's foremost virtuoso of the donali. As a teenager, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, where he learned the donali by observing double-pipe players, before returning to Iran in 1958 with extensive musical experience. Beyond playing the single reed (ney) until 1983, Espandar brought Balochi music to international prominence, earning an honorary doctorate in traditional music from France and an honorary diploma in musicianship in Iran. Honored with a statue and his original instrument preserved at the Tehran Museum, Espandar passed away in his hometown of Bampur at the age of 99 following an extended illness.

2) Musa Baloch (1966–2013) was a celebrated master of traditional Baloch music, renowned for his exceptional skill with the donali and the damburag. Having picked up the donali in his childhood and dedicating himself to it by age 15, Baloch spent over a decade captivating audiences across national and international stages, bringing the rich folk soundscapes of Sistan and Baluchestan to countries including France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, and Norway. Beyond his live performances and festival accolades, he was a talented composer who scored music for over five regional theater productions, earning first-place honors for best soundtrack on every occasion. Tragic complications following a car accident in January 2013 cut his life short, but his musical heritage lives on as his son, Eisa Baloch, continues to keep the family's donali tradition alive.

Acknowledgements. The photographs of the late maestro Shir Mohammad Espandar شیرمحمد اسپندار are sourced from the news website of the Association of Iran's Music (nay.ir). The photograph of maestro Musa Baloch موسی بلوچ was kindly provided by his son, Eisa Baloch عیسی بلوچ.

Keyword and phrases. Baloch, Baluch, Balochi, Baluchi, Balochistan, Baluchistan, Donali, Doneli, Tanbourak, Tanburak, Suroz.

References.

[Po] Mehran Poormandan, The Encyclopedia of Iranian Old Music, Tehran, 2000.

[Se]: Mehdi Setayeshgar: Vazhe-Name-ye-Musighi-ye-Iran Zamin, Tehran, Vol. I (1995) & Vol. II (1996).