Tablā

One of a pair of single-headed South Asian drums (the second, smaller drum is the bāmyā) featured in North Indian classical music; also, its collective name.

The body, made of clay, wood, or metal, is roughly hourglass shaped. The head and body are laced with zigzagging thongs to secure the wooden tuning dowels (changing the head tension as TIMPANI do). Tuning and TIMBRE are also affected by special black tuning paste placed on the heads of both drums, according to individual preference. The drum pair is played while sitting.

In the performance of a RAGA, after a melodic improvisation, the drummer enters with a TALA (rhythmic pattern).