The most important is the ‘taal’, which means a rhythmic cycle. Though this article does not intend to get into too many technicalities, some terms are worth mentioning, even if at a very basic level. Sadly, many of them are unaware of the various terms that are used. Though there have been other theories, the name tabla is said to originate from the Arabic word ‘tabl’, which simply means ‘drum’.Īt most concerts, one finds a large section of the audience clapping at the faster portions played on tabla.
Legend has it that he created it by cutting the two-headed pakhawaj or mridangam drums into two halves. Some musicologists talk of Hindu temple carvings dating back to 500 BC showing pairs of hand drums resembling the tabla.Ī more common belief is that the great Sufi poet and scholar Amir Khusro invented it in the 13th century. There are different theories on the origin of the tabla. To ensure that the surface doesn’t get rough, powder is regularly sprayed on the drums, and rubbed smoothly across the surface with the palm. For the ‘baayaan’, the player needs to ensure that the pitch is even, and for this certain pegs are used. Tuning of the ‘daayaan’ is done with a small hammer.
The outer circumference, the ‘gajara’, supports the instruments, and some players even use that infusion or film music to create unusual sounds.Ī tabla can go out of tune when exposed to change of temperature or humidity. The pitch, tone and timbre vary across these layers, and at various points on each layer.
This has a bass sound.īoth the drums have different layers – a thick-skinned outside layer (‘chanti’), an intermediate portion (‘maidan’) and a black circular patch in the centre (‘syahi’). The larger drum, the ‘baayaan’ or the ‘dagga’ is placed at the player’s left. This drum is called the ‘tabla’ or the ‘daayaan’. Normally, in the case of a right-handed player, the smaller drum is placed on his right and he plays it with the fingers of his right hand. Most of the playing is done by the fingers, though the palms and wrists are also used. The drums are placed on ringed cushions placed on the floor, and the player sits on the floor during a performance. The tabla consists of two hand drums of different sizes and timbres. At the same time, it has made its own mark as a solo instrument. One of the reasons is that is that it is used to accompany many melodic instruments, specially in Hindustani music, ghazals, Sufi music, film, fusion, folk and devotional music, and on rare occasions in Carnatic music too.
On a professional level, the popularity of the tabla can be gauged from the fact that there are a larger number of well-known practitioners (or ‘tabalchis’) as compared to any other Indian instrument. However, playing the tabla is not as easy as it seems, and it requires hours and hours of practice and dedication, and a natural rhythmic skill, to master it. It is in many cases the first instrument that a child or a teenager is introduced to, as it is taught in schools and at basic music initiation courses. On an amateur level, the tabla is perhaps the most commonly played Indian instrument. Naturally, it would be appropriate to begin with this instrument. I shall focus on how the instrument is used in different genres, and mention the leading performers in each style.Īs many are aware, the most popular Indian percussion instrument is the tabla, mainly popularised abroad by Ustad Allarakha and his son Ustad Zakir Hussain. I shall not go into too many technicalities and playing styles, unless really necessary. The aim is two-fold: one, to make readers aware of certain artistes they might not have heard before, and secondly, to expose relatively new audiences, mainly from the West, to the beauty that various Indian instruments offer. Many instruments used to accompany dance recitals shall be discussed too. The next few parts will feature various drums used in the north Indian form of Hindustani music, the south Indian Carnatic music, ghazals, film music, fusion, folk and devotional music, besides certain instruments played solo irrespective of genre. To mark the birth centenary of late tabla legend Ustad Allarakha on April 29, we shall now move into Indian rhythmic instruments.
So far, this series has focused on Indian melodic instruments.