Tabla

Tabla is one of the most popular percussion instrument in Indian music.

Structure: The conical drum (almost cylindrical) carved out of a solid piece of hard wood is called 'Tabla'. Its one 'open' end is covered by a composite membrane. The base of the drum has a slightly larger diameter than the top. The tabla comes with a "siyahi' (black powder applied with a help of a particular stone) and this helps Tabla to produce variety of sounds than many other percussion instruments.

Dagga is a hemispherical bowl shaped drum made of polished copper, brass, bronze, or clay (now rarely seen). Like the tabla, a composite membrane covers the bayan's open end and comes with 'Siyahi'.

The two separate drums, left and right, together are called "Tabla". This instrument is tuned with a help of "Hatodi", a metallic hammer that hits the "Gatte" or small cylindrical wooden pieces woven in a "wadi" and is fine tuned by light hammering at the "Gajara", a woven strip where the leather is fitted .

Baaz/Gharanas (Styles) in Tabla

Here is a brief information on various styles in Tabla playing in India.

Delhi baaz

It is known that Sidhar Khan Dhadi established the first style of tabla playing, know as the Dheli/Delhi style, from which all others, except that of Punjab, originate. He was a contemporary of Sadarang, he lived in the 18th century. Sidhar Khan is also believed by some experts to have invented the tabla. This style is also called ‘Do Ungaliyon Ka Baaj’ as they use the two-fingers prominently. Peshkaar, Kayda, Rela is the specialty of this Gharana. The Kayda played in this Gharana is usually in Chatusra Jaati in which the syllables are ‘Dhit, Kit, tiT, Dhaage, Naage, Kinaa, Tinaa, DhirDhir’. While playing Tabla in speed, the sound is delightful and subtle. This Gharana is famous for solo playing as well as accompaniment. The masters of this Gharana are Us. Sidhhar Khan, Us. Ghasit Khan, Us. Kallu Khan, us. Munir Khan, Pt. Nikhil Ghosh, etc.

Lucknow baaz

Nawab Asafuddoullah, Lucknow, gave patronage to the nephews of Ustad Sidhhar Khan (Delhi), Ust Modau khan and Miya Bakshu Khan. They played the Khula Baaj of Pakhawaj into Tabla suitable for Kathak. In this Gharana, the Gat, Paran, Tukda are the major compositions with the syllables such as ‘Tagenna, DhetDhet, KadDhet, Titakit, Dhetta, Dhidnag’. This Gharana is also called ‘Khula Baaj’.
Renowned artists of Lucknow gharana: Ustad Abid Hussain Khan, Ustad Munne Khan, Pandit Biru Mishra.

Farukhabad baaz

Ust Haji Vilayat Khan (son in law of Bakshu Khan of Lucknow Gharana) was the founder of this Gharana. Ustad Bakshu Khan gave extensive training to Haji Vilayat Khan and also made him his son in law. At the wedding ceremony, Ustad Bakshu Khan gave nearly 500 compositions of Tabla to Haji Vilayat Khan as gift and these compositions are popularly known as ‘Dahej Gats’. Haji Vilayat Khan (Farukhabad) was a great performer, composer as well as teacher. Peshkar, Kayda, Rela, Gat and Gat-Toda are the specialty of this Gharana. Use of syllables ‘Tak Tak, Dhir Dhir’ is common and ‘Kdaan, Ghidaan, DhiDhir KiTatak, Dhetta, NagaNaga’ are the frequent syllables.
Celebrated Tabla players such as Ustad Ahmadjan Thirkawa, Ustad Amir Hussain Khan belong to Farukhabad Gharana.

Non-expandable compositions in Farukhabad Gharana (duration: 1 hr 13 min) a lecture-demonstration by Amod Dandage.

Banaras

Pandit Raam Sahay, disciple of Ustad Bhodu Khan of Lakhnow Gharan is regarded as founder of Banares Gharana. The pecularity of this gharana is different presentation of Peshkar (Unlike other gharanas, while playing teentaal, Banaras baaz uses teentaal Bols) and Laggi accompanied with Thumri. Tabla players of this Gharana sit in Weeraasan posture while playing with Dugga in the lap and Tabla in front. This combines Khula Baaj and Banda Baaj very effectively with use of ‘DhirDhirKit, DHigDhinaa, DhitKit, GheGhenaga, KataGadigan’ syllables. Renowned players of Benaras Gharana are Pandit Raam Sahay, Pt Kanthe Maharaj, Pt Samta Prasad, Pt Kishan Maharaj.

Ajarada

Ustad Miru Khan and Ustad Kallu Khan (of Ajrada, UP) were disciples of Sitaab Khan (disciple of Bugra Khan, the son of Sidhhar Khan who was founder of Delhi Gharana), so their basic style was like the Delhi Gharana. Further these two brothers, improvized the Aad Laya and syncopation which turned the simple Delhi gharana into a complex and tricky style. They composed Tishra Jaati Kayda and complex Kaydas with the use of syllables such as ‘Ghitak, Dhigan, Tit, Kat’. The use of third finger, playing on ‘Siyahi’ is important feature of Ajrada gharana. Renowned artists of Ajarada gharana: Ustad Habibuddin Khan and Ustad Shamsuddin Khan

Punjab

The founder of this Gharana, Pandit Lala Bhavani Das Pakhawaji was contemporary to Ustad Sidhhar Khan (founder of Delhi Gharana). Punjab Gharana uses the four fingers efficiently for playing compositions. It has an influence of ‘Thapiyaa Baaj’. Punjab is famous for its beautiful diplay of 'Chakradhar' and compositions with frequent syllables such as ‘Dhetta, Dhadanna, TakitTakit, Kradhetta, DhirDhirKat’ are commonly rendered in this Gharana. Renowned artist of this gharana are Us. Allarakha, Us Zakir Hussain, Pt Yogesh Samsi.