Description and history of the Tabla

History of the Tabla
Glossary of terms

The 'right hand' drum, called the dayan (also called the dahina, or the tabla) is a conical (almost cylindrical) drum shell carved out of a solid piece of hard wood. The dayan's shell has one 'open' end, covered by a composite membrane. The base of the drum has a slightly larger diameter than the top. The 'left hand' drum, called the bayan (also called the duggi) is a hemispherical bowl shaped drum made of polished copper, brass, bronze, or clay. Like the dayan, a composite membrane covers the bayan's open end. Both drums stand about 25 centimeters high. The bayan's head measures 22 centimeters across, while the dayan measures approximately 14 centimeters across.