Tabla
A pair of small hand drums, the main rhythm instrument of north Indian music and of Kathak.
Also: dayan and bayan
The tabla is two drums played together with the fingers and palms. The smaller, higher drum is usually wood and is tuned to the key of the music. The larger, lower drum is metal or clay and can be made to swoop in pitch by pressing with the heel of the hand. A black paste spot on each skin gives the clear ringing tone. Every stroke has a spoken syllable. In Kathak the tabla player and dancer hold a rhythmic conversation and often trade phrases.