The tabla
A traditional Indian percussion instrument made up of two hand played drums.
Tabla is a traditional Indian percussion instrument made up of two hand played drums. Each drum has its own voice, and together they carry the rhythm of a performance.
Dayan
The smaller drum
Usually played with the right hand. It produces higher pitched sounds.
Bayan
The larger drum
Usually played with the left hand. It produces deeper, bass sounds.
Tabla is an important instrument in Hindustani classical music and is also widely used in devotional music, folk music, Bollywood, fusion and contemporary performances.
What makes tabla special is its wide range of rhythmic patterns, known as taal, and the different sounds created using the fingers, palms and various playing techniques.