Rani Taj

Rani Taj (Urdu: ) (born 3 October 1993) is a British Pakistani dhol player from Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Although already well known in the Midlands, she rose to international fame in 2010 when she appeared in a viral video playing live in the street along with a recording of Rihanna's song "Rude Boy".

Subsequently, after leaving school she decided to receive professional training. She spent the first couple of years being taught by Gurcharan Mall of the Dhol Blasters and was later also taught by Harjit Singh of the Azaad Dhol Group. Dressed in traditional Punjabi attire, she was recorded playing a dhol alongside an impromptu mix of Tinie Tempah's single "Pass Out".

The video went viral globally, drawing praise for her skill and technique on the dhol—a double-sided barrel drum traditionally played by men in South Asian folk music. Her performances have contributed to challenging gender roles within the traditionally male-dominated domain of professional dhol playing.

Tours Rani continues to be a role model to young people across the world and pursues her passion for the Dhol. and the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. After her YouTube video went viral, she was asked to perform at many venues all over the world including at weddings, charity events and nightclubs. To date, she has played Dhol in New York, Dublin, Hong Kong, Norway, Pakistan and all over Britain. Rani Taj performed at New York in live studio session. She performed along with DJ Rekha and Zuzuka Poderosa in Bhangraween 2011. She also appeared as a guest in a BBC Asian Network program with Noreen Khan

Since 2011 Rani Taj has spent a lot of time with the Sufi dhol players of Pakistan, namely Gunga and Mittu Sain. She is not only fascinated by the 'Qalandari' style of dhol playing but has played alongside them in various Melas and Darbars all over Pakistan. These include the darbars of Baba Shah Jamal, in Lahore, Shabir Shah in Lahore, Baba Lal Shah in Murree, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sindh, Heera Lal Qalandar Mela in Gujar Khan and Daata Mela at Daata Darbar in Lahore.