Classical Music and Tabla

Classical music is the mainstream music produced in, or rooted in the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music,When asked the question, “what is classical music?”, elevator music comes to the minds of many people. Although it is grossly inaccurate to say that classical music is elevator music, the two terms are similar in one way. They are both a generic term applied to a type of music. Classical music encompasses many styles of music spanning over 700 years.

We are here for Tabla based Classical Music, which is Important Classical musical instrument in Hindustan musical Industry. Let know little about " What is Tabla?"


The Tabla is an Indian Musical instrument. Actually, Tabla forms a major instrument of Indian music. The instrument used to be the part of Classical and Hindustani music, but today it is adding to the flavor of every kind of music, especially jazz. Beats of the Tabla drums can be heard notably in the music of India.

The Tabla comprises two drums and that could be the possible reason it is also known as Indian Drums. The drum that is kept on the right hand is called "dayan". This drum is small then the left-hand drum. "Dayan" is generally made from solid piece of hardwood. The left-hand drum is known as "bayan", which can be made from metal, terracotta or ceramic.

The pitch of the Table depends on the diameter of the drums, bigger the diameter, lower would be the pitch. The method of playing Tabla drum requires maximum exercise of the fingers and movements of palm. The synchronization of both drums produces various sound effects. The right hand drum "dayan" can itself make 12 different types of sounds.

On the other hand, "bayan" can make 2 different sounds, but on applying a little pressure to "bayan", the pitch gets changed. The skin of the drum shells is fabricated from goat. The drum shell also bears a thick black disc, which is known as 'shiai'. The 'Shiai' is prepared out of flour, ferric oxide powder and starch. It is fixed in the centre of the shell to allow the emanation of sounds. The tuning of Tabla is done by striking the 'guli' or 'ghittak' (wedge). For fine tuning, the braided part of the 'pagri' (head) is thumped by a metal hammer. To ensure constancy while playing, 'bida' or 'chutta' (cushion) is placed below both the drums. Ustad Zakir Hussain(who playing tabla in picture) has popularized his art of playing Tabla all over the world.