tabla

[ tah-bluh, tuhb-luh ]

noun

1. a small drum or pair of drums of India tuned to different pitches and played with the hands.

tabla

/ ˈtɑːblɑː; ˈtʌblə /

noun

1. a musical instrument of India consisting of a pair of drums whose pitches can be varied

Word History and Origins

Origin of tabla¹

1860–65; earlier tubla < Hindi tablā < Arabic ṭabla, derivative of ṭabl drum

Word History and Origins

Origin of tabla¹

Hindu, from Arabic tabla drum

Example Sentences

Occasionally, tabla beats and synthesisers complement his verses.

From BBC

Rhythm and musicality is a huge part of Patel’s action style, and he utilizes it for effects that are both comedic and sublime, such as in a training montage featuring the renowned tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain.

From Los Angeles Times

Dmitri Mendeléyev, después de darle muchas vueltas a la disposición de los pesos atómicos en su estado de vigilia, llegó a su tabla periódica en un sueño.

From New York Times

“You don’t remember a few years ago when we went to the fairgrounds, where there was a music performance of tabla and sitar, and all those food stalls, and you got those tiny Pakistani flags?”

From Literature

Sometimes, his hands let go of the harmonium and his fingers danced to the tabla’s beat, to the rhythm of the words he sang.

From New York Times