Tabla 101: The instrument that produces sound of the sub-continent

KARACHI:

The tabla holds a revered place in Eastern music and civilisation itself. Dating back to the era of Amir Khusro, its history is almost as brilliant as its sound. It has entertained in the rajas and badshahs of the Delhi Sultanate and had a constant place in the darbar of the Mughal Emperor Akbar.

The tabla consists of a pair - both different sizes - known as the ‘dayaan’ and ‘bayaan’ or more commonly, the jodi. One is made of wood and the other of metal. Both are hollow and covered with a skin, usually of leather. In the middle is a ‘syahi’ which produces a tapping sound or otherwise known as a ‘kit’. The differing thickness of the skin of the ‘dayaan’ and bayaan’ balance one another and produce melodic sounds.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2012.