TablaCentral ^©

Tabla is the king of percussion instruments and is comprised of a pair of two drums
1. The treble drum (Dayan or Tabla) and
2. The base drum (Bayan or Dagga).

Tabla is widely used in the Indian Subcontient viz - India, Pakistan, Nepal etc. Tabla may be played both as an accompanying instruement (accompanying instrumental music or vocal music) or it may be used for a solo performance.

Tabla is played with both hands. The treble drum is struck with the fingers of the hand. Striking the fingers on different parts of the Dayan (treble drum) produces different sounds. The Bayan is more resonant and produces basal sound. By modulating the sound on the Bayan, tonal variation can be achieved.
Elaborate explanation (and videoclips) of individual sounds produced (bol) may be found on the Bol page.

Alla Rakha, Zakir Hussain
Listen to an excerpt from a duet recording of two Tabla Maestros - Ustad Alla Rakha and Ustad Zakir Hussain

Tabla duet
(4:57 minutes, 4.54 MB - mp3 format)

Soundclips, VideoClips
A complete collection of soundclips, videoclips maybe found at

SoundGallery

VideoGallery

Purchase CDs, Videos, Books
CDs maybe purchased via the Purchase page.
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This month's article
Ustad Ahmedjan Thirakwa
After the gaiety, crowds and illuminations of the previous two days, Lucknow was observing Ashra, the mournful 10th day of Moharram ...read more

Soundbytes :

This month: Raga Bahar - Zakir Hussain and Ravi Shankar

Composition :

A Teental kaida attributed to Alla Rakha

Tabla Suppliers : List of Tabla and Indian Musical Instruments suppliers

Discussion Board : Open Forum for tabla enthusiasts