The tabla is an instrument commonly used in North Indian music, usually to accompany vocal, instrumental and dance performances. Tabla is also played as a solo instrument, with vast repertoires of compositions handed down orally from generation to generation.
The tabla is an instrument of fingers, allowing for the creation of rhythmic patterns which can be played with speed that cannot be matched on other drums. Different sounds can be produced by the tabla based on the manner of striking, as well as by striking different parts of the heads of the tabla.
The modern tabla has a highly developed technique of playing and is capable of producing almost all the patterns of rhythms/cross-rhythms in music. The time cycles played in tabla are called thekha, or measured beat.
The modern style of tabla-playing originated in Delhi, and subsequently it travelled to Lucknow, Farukhabad, and Benaras.
Today, the tabla has become well-known and is extremely popular globally.
