Sandip Bhattacharya - His Instrument the Tabla

The Instrument

The tabla, India's most popular and widely used percussion instrument, consists of two drums which are covered with skin. They are played with the fingers of both hands. The drum played with the right hand is called 'Dayan' or 'Tabla' -just like the set itself- and is usually made from a hollowed out block of wood. The one played with the left hand is known as 'Bayan' or 'Dugga' and is either made of copper or clay.

The goatskin cover on each drum is tied to leather loops, which are firmly stretched over the frame by means of leather braces known as 'baddi'. Wooden cylindrical blocks 'ghitti's' are wedged between the braces and the body of the drum to facilitate precise tuning.

The tabla drums seen from the audience. The drum at the left is the tabla, the drum at the right is the bayan

Extremely important for the tonal quality and color of the sound are the black circles on top of the skin, known as 'sihai' or 'shai'. These circles are made of thin layers of a black paste which consist of iron powder, water and a secret ingredient (only known to the maker himself). After each layer of paste has been applied and dried in the sun it is rubbed in strongly with a smooth round stone. Then the next layer (a bit smaller in diameter) is applied. While rubbing the dried paste with the stone, the sound is checked frequently, thus ensuring that both tonal color and quality come out perfect.

The tabla (right drum) is tuned to the keynote of the music to be played and provides a variety of tonal combinations. The Bayan (left drum) provides the bass tones and, while keeping the rhythm, demonstrates a range of emotions.

Related Pages ...

Links to pages in 'The Instrument' section. The current page is indicated by two dots before the name.

		Technical information about Sandip's principle instrument the tabla.
		Traditional learning process and the art of playing the tabla.
		Different styles of playing the instrument.
		Examples of tabla 'bols' and hand/finger positions

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