Traditional Indian tabla, includes 1 carrying bag (soft case), hammer and cushions. Dimensions & weight: Dayan: Ø 19cm (playing surface Ø15.5cm), 28cm high, 4.8kg / Bayan: Ø30cm (playing surface Ø24cm). Magnificent quality!
Traditional Indian tabla, includes 1 carrying bag (soft case), hammer and cushions. Dimensions & weight: Dayan: Ø 19cm (playing surface Ø15.5cm), 28cm high, 4.8kg / Bayan: Ø30cm (playing surface Ø24cm). Magnificent quality!
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About the product:
Delivery includes the following items: bag (soft case), hammer and pillow.
Dimensions & weight:
Dayan: Ø 19cm (playing surface Ø15.5cm), 28cm high, 4.8kg
Bayan: Ø30cm (playing surface Ø24cm), 28cm high, 2.9kg
The tabla is a traditional Indian drum that plays an important role in classical music.
It consists of a pair of drums, the larger Bayan and the smaller Dayan.
The Bayan is made of brass and produces low tones, while the wooden Dayan produces higher tones.
Various percussion techniques are used with the hands to produce a variety of sounds.
Known for its complex rhythms and interaction with other instruments, the tabla is used in both Indian classical music and other genres such as film music and folk.
🥁 Complete sheet of the Indian Tabla
📊 Summary table
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Tabla |
| Origin | India (approx. 13th - 14th century) |
| Family | Percussion (membranophones) |
| Composition | Two drums: Dayan (right) & Bayan (left) |
| Materials | Wood (Dayan), metal/copper/clay (Bayan), animal skins |
| Playing techniques | Fingers and palms (with precise strikes called bowls ) |
| Game type | Soloist, accompaniment (voice, instruments, Kathak dance) |
| Tuning | Using wooden wedges and a hammer |
| Musical genres | Indian classical music (Hindustani), fusion, world music |
📜 History of Tabla
The tabla appeared in the musical tradition of North India from the 13th or 14th century. It became the primary percussion instrument in Hindustani classical music. Its development is often attributed to the musician Amir Khusrau (although this origin is debated).
Before the tabla, the main percussion instruments were the pakhawaj or the mridangam. The tabla is lighter, more precise, and allows for great rhythmic richness.
It has subsequently been used in various styles: sacred music, Sufi chants, qawwali, ghazal, light music, and even contemporary fusion/jazz.
🧪 Technical sheet
🎵 1. The Dayan (right hand)
Material: Hardwood (sheesham, neem, etc.)
Size: Approximately 15 cm in diameter
Height: Approx. 25 cm
Tuned according to the key of the piece
Produces melodic sounds (do, na, tin, etc.)
🥁 2. The Bayan (left hand)
Material: Metal (copper), sometimes clay or brass
Size: Approximately 20-25 cm in diameter
Height: Variable
Low and adjustable sounds (ghe, ka, dhum, etc.)
🎯 Other features
Skins: Two membranes of animal skin glued together (the outer skin is stretched, the central skin contains a black circle called syahi which produces the harmonics).
Tuning: With wooden wedges and a special hammer
Standard tuning: around C or D, but depends on the voice or lead instrument
🧩 Game Type & Function
| Game type | Detail |
|---|---|
| Soloist | The tabla can play complex rhythmic compositions |
| Accompaniement | For melodic instruments (sitar, sarod, bansuri, etc.) |
| Vocal accompaniment | Classical music, bhajans, ghazals |
| Dance | Accompaniment of Kathak (Indian classical dance) |
| Improvisation | Very present – the tabla follows a rhythmic cycle (tala) |
📚 Anecdotes & Useful Info
Tabla requires years of apprenticeship (often in the form of guru-shishya parampara, master-student).
There are different gharanas (schools of style): Delhi, Lucknow, Benares, Punjab…
The tabla uses a vocal rhythmic language called bols, allowing rhythms to be taught orally.
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