Tabla, A Background
The tabla-a popular Indian percussion instrument used in the classical, popular and religious music of the India and also in Hindustani classical music. This instrument consists of a pair of hand drums, each contrasts the other in its size and timbres. The term tabla is derived from tabl-an Arabic word, and this translates simply as "drum". The history of this instrument is the subject of heated debate. Historians most common historical account credits the 13th century Indian poet Amir Khusrau as the inventor of the tabla instrument. However, none of his writings on music mention on the invention of the drum. Although a reliable historical evidence pinpoints the invention of this instrument in the 18th century and the very first player reknowned in playing the tabla was Ustad Sudhar Khan of Delhi, India.