Sandip Bhattacharya - The Art of Playing Tabla

The Art of Playing Tabla

Drum playing in India is a demanding art form requiring long years of practice before mastery is achieved.

In terms of sheer subtlety and complexity, the rhythms of Indian classical music are unique. During solo performances master players weave together hundreds of subtle and graceful rhythmic patterns drawn from a variety of compositions - such as Uthan, Peshkara, Kayada, Tukra, Paran, Gat, Farad, Mohra etc.


The musician has to practice all of these different compositions during his training. (This intense training is called 'Sadhana', in which one lives totally with the music.)

The scope of the repertoire performed, as well as the manner and the mood with which the musician gives life to the music, defines his greatness as a tabla player. As an accompaniment the tabla lends itself to virtually any rhythm and cross-rhythm, to any mood the musicians conjure up in the course of their recital. The greatness of the tabla player depends on his ability to match the particular emotion of the raga that is being played. The subtlety and refinement of his rhythm should uplift the music.

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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