Tabla is a very popular percussion instrument, used to accompany classical and light vocal, instrumental, Kathak dance and is also performed solo. It consists of a pair of drums.

There is no conclusive evidence as to when this instrument came into existence. Some believe that the word ‘tabla’ is probably derived from the Arabic word, ‘tabl’ which means drums. Others opine that tabla was invented by Amir Khusro – the court poet musician during the reign of Allauddin Khilji, but this too is disputed due to lack of evidence. The earliest mention or depiction of tabla as we know of it today is in the 18th century and the first verifiable player is Ustad Siddhar Khan of Delhi.

The Tabla consists of tabla and baayaan. Tabla is generally placed on the right side of the player and the baayaan on the left. Baayaan is also known as Dagga. The basic differences between these two are:-

1. Though both are cylindrical in shape, the baayaan is more rounded.
    

2. The Tabla has gathas –wooden pegs That are used to tune it. Baayaan does not have these.
    

3. Hence it is the tabla that is tuned whereas baayaan is not.
    

4. The syaahi is in the centre of the pudi on the tabla whereas it in on one side on the bayan.
    

5. Tabla is made of wood where as baayaan ealier used to be made of clay; now it is made of metal like brass, copper, aluminium or steel.

The tabla has an animal skin covering on top called the pudi. On the pudi is the black patch made of gum, soot and iron fillings, called syaahi that gives resonance and timber to the instrument. The pudi’s outer circumference is called gajara, which is made of leather. Through the gajara pass the baddhis or the leather straps. Between the body of the tabla and the baddhis are wooden pegs called gathas. The tabla is tuned by striking the gathas, which in turn, increases or decreases the tension of the pudi, thus increasing or decreasing the pitch. A small hammer is used to strike the gathas. Minor tuning is done by striking the gajara. Both the drums are placed on cotton rings called chumbals.

At a solo performance, the player presents many kinds of compositions like Peshkar, Kaida, Rela, Gath, Tukda etc.As an accompanying instrument, Taalas like Teen Taala, Ek Taala, Jhap Taala etc. are played in all the three layas. Lighter Taalas like the Dadra, Khemta and Kaherva are also played. No wonder it is considered the most versatile accompanying instrument. It is also popular in fusion music.

Names of some eminent Tabla players of yesteryears are Natthu Khan, Ahmed Jan ‘Thirakva’, Amir Hussain Khan, Feroze Khan etc. Some of the eminent players of recent past and today are Pandit Gyan Prakash Ghosh, Anokhelalji, Pandit Nikhil Ghosh, Samta Prasadji, Pandit Kishan Maharaj and Ustad Alla Rakha as also Pandit Nayan Ghosh, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pandit Suresh Talwalkar and Pandit Anindo Chatterjee.