May be an ignorant question but are particular types of tabla, eg. size and thickness of siati (black, middle) preferable to specific styles of playing. I understand that ways of playing and ways of making tabla have evolved differently in specific places, but i'm not really sure which type of tabla is associated with which place - how does a benares tabla differ from a lucknow or delhi tabla ( if that is the right question) and can purbi and dilli styles be used with equal success on each?
oli (Mar 14, 2004 03:30 p.m.):
May be an ignorant question but are particular types of tabla, eg. size and thickness of siati (black, middle) preferable to specific styles of playing. I understand that ways of playing and ways of making tabla have evolved differently in specific places, but i'm not really sure which type of tabla is associated with which place - how does a benares tabla differ from a lucknow or delhi tabla ( if that is the right question) and can purbi and dilli styles be used with equal success on each?
oli (Apr 29, 2004 06:55 a.m.):
This stroke is associated with Dilli style. Is it therefore easier to execute on a Dilli tabla? this may be an invalid question - I posted a similar question before but got no replies, but i'm still wondering whether different gab thicknesses etc are specific to diferent gharanas and whether it is best to play in the style 'intended' for a particular tabla. Sorry, i think this should have been a new question. . thanks anyway. Oli
Oli,
Sorry, I meant to reply to your earlier question - I thought it was a good one - but I got side- tracked.
Anyway, as far as tabla styles and respective Gharanas; what little I know, there are basically two styles of tablas in general use: Bombay and Calcutta - neither of which is a Gharana. . The Bombay, also made in and around Pune, depending on quality, uses thicker skins and straps and has a thicker but smaller gab. The Bombay style tabla is a bit more rugged and can be played louder and with more mid-tone resonance without the worry of damaging the head. The Calcutta/Kolkata style tabla uses thinner skins, thinner straps and has a larger, thinner gab and is sharper in timbre with generally a little more sustain in the upper register. The drawback of the Calcutta-style tabla is that it will need to be reheaded a bit more often. I prefer Kolkata style tablas myself, for their ease in tuning, longer sustain, and to me, less tempermental qualities. They are also much, much, easier to 'break in'.
I have also seen hybrid tablas with the better characteristics of both locales. Zakir and Anindo regularly use both styles of tablas as well as hybrids made by the best makers.
I don't know enough about Benares Gharana to comment but I think they tend to use the Bombay style heads??
Would be nice to hear more knowledgeable input from other readers??
Lucknow and Benaras perhaps lies in between Kolkata and Bombay /Hyderabad in Pudi thickness. Pudi made are fairly durable but not as long lasting as Bombay / Hyderabad Pudi.
These days ready made Pudi from Hyderabad and Madras has made its way to Lucknow and Benaras which are fairly popular.
Regards,
TRKTDHA
TRKTDHA (May 02, 2004 10:02 p.m.):
Lucknow and Benaras perhaps lies in between Kolkata and Bombay /Hyderabad in Pudi thickness. Pudi made are fairly durable but not as long lasting as Bombay / Hyderabad Pudi.
These days ready made Pudi from Hyderabad and Madras has made its way to Lucknow and Benaras which are fairly popular.
Regards,
TRKTDHA
