Tabla

The Tabla is an Indian percussion instrument, which dates back to the times of Persian Muslims. Actually, Tabla forms a major instrument of Indian music. The instrument used to be the part of Classical and Hindustani music, but today it is adding to the flavor of every kind of music, especially jazz. Beats of the Tabla drums can be heard notably in the music of India.

The Tabla comprises two drums and that could be the possible reason it is also known as Indian Drums. The drum that is kept on the right hand is called "dayan". This drum is small then the left-hand drum. "Dayan" is generally made from solid piece of hardwood. The left-hand drum is known as "bayan", which can be made from metal, terracotta or ceramic.

The pitch of the Table depends on the diameter of the drums, bigger the diameter, lower would be the pitch. The method of playing Tabla drum requires maximum exercise of the fingers and movements of palm. The synchronization of both drums produces various sound effects. The right hand drum "dayan" can itself make 12 different types of sounds.

On the other hand, "bayan" can make 2 different sounds, but on applying a little pressure to "bayan", the pitch gets changed. The skin of the drum shells is fabricated from goat. The drum shell also bears a thick black disc, which is known as 'shiai'. The 'Shiai' is prepared out of flour, ferric oxide powder and starch. It is fixed in the centre of the shell to allow the emanation of sounds. The tuning of Tabla is done by striking the 'guli' or 'ghittak' (wedge). For fine tuning, the braided part of the 'pagri' (head) is thumped by a metal hammer. To ensure constancy while playing, 'bida' or 'chutta' (cushion) is placed below both the drums. Ustad Zakir Hussain has popularized his art of playing Tabla all over the world.

Ustad Alla Rakha, Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, Pandit Nayan Pandit Anindo Chatterjee Ghosh, Pandit Nayan Ghosh, Ustad Rashid Mustafa Thirakwa, Pandit Kishen Maharaj, Ustad Tari Khan, Pandit Kumar Bose, Pandit Sankha Chatterjee, Pandit Sharda Sahai and Ustad Tafo Khan are some of the famous Tabla players of India.