Tabla terminology

Words associated with the tabla:

*"Ustad - a master of the tabla technique and gharānā, or school. Hindus are referred to as Pandit"'.
*Gharānā - any of the six schools (Punjab gharana, Delhi gharana, Benares, Ajrara, Lucknow, Farukhabad) of tabla.
*Syahi - the black spots on the tabla, also called gaab. Composed of a dried paste derived from iron filings and applied in several separate layers to the head of the drum.
*Keenar - the outer ring of skin on the head of each of the two tabla drums.
*Sun - The area between the gaab and the keenar.
*bol - both mnemonic syllables and a series of notes produced when stroked. E.g. Na, tin, Dha, Dhin, Ge, Ke, etc.
*Theka - a standard series of bols that form the rhythmic basis of tabla accompaniment for a given tala.
*Rela - a sort of rapid drum-roll
*Chutta - the cushions used when placing the tabla.
*Baj, Baaj, or Baaz - a style of playing, different from the gharānā. Two main styles developed, Purbi Baj and Dilli Baj. Dilli, or Delhi, baj is the *style of bols and playing that originated in the city of Delhi. Purbi (meaning "eastern") developed in the area east of delhi. Both have different ways to play bols.
*Bayan- The left metal drum providing the base notes in tabla
*Dayan - The right wooden drum providing the treble notes in tabla

*"Lay (A.K.A "Laya")"' - tempo
*tala - meter. Example: Dadra Tala, Ada Chautal, Teental, and the most common, kehavra
*"Vibhag" Section of a tabla taal where bols can be placed
*"Thali" - A vibhag signified by a clap
*"Khali" - A vibhag signified by waving of the hands
*"Ghatta" - These are the wooden dowels used to control the tension

ee also

* [http://www.chandrakantha.com/tablasite/glossary.htm Tabla Site - Glossary of Terms]
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