Each variations are written in full but also in a "short cut" way. This will explain by itself the way it was thought of and will help memorise the variation. Before playing the variations make sure you can play the theme itself in a fluent manner. Before going onto the next variation, make sure you can play the previous one in a fluent manner.
Barabar Ektal
dh� tirakita dh�/ge n� dh� ge/tin n� ke n�
t� tirakita t�/ke n� dh� ge/dhin n� ge n�
dh� tirakita dh�/ge n� dh� ge/tin n� ke n�
t� tirakita t�/ke n� dh� ge/dhin n� ge n�
1. (dh� tirakita dh� ge n�) x2 + th
dh� tirakita dh�/ge n� dh� tira/kita dh� ge n�
dh� tirakita dh�/ge n� dh� ge/tin n� ke n�
t� tirakita t�/ke n� t� tira/kita t� ke n�
dh� tirakita dh�/ge n� dh� ge/dhin n� ge n�
2. (ge n� dh� tirakita dh�) x2 + th
ge n� dh� tira/kita dh� ge n�/dh� tirakita dh�
dh� tirakita dh�/ge n� dh� ge/tin n� ke n�
ke n� t� tira/kita t� ke n�/t� tira kita t�
dh� tirakita dh�/ge n� dh� ge/dhin n� ge n�
3. (ge n�) + (dh� tirakita dh�) x2 + (ge n�) + th
ge n� dh� tira/kita dh� dh� tira/kita dh� ge n�
dh� tirakita dh�/ge n� dh� ge/tin n� ke n�
ke n� t� tira/kita t� t� tira/kita t� ke n�
dh� tirakita dh�/ge n� dh� ge/dhin n� ge n�
4. (ge n� dh�) x2 + (tirakita dh�) x2 + th
ge n� dh� ge/n� dh� tirakita/dh� tirakita dh�
dh� tirakita dh�/ge n� dh� ge/tin n� ke n�
ke n� t� ke/n� t� tirakita/t� tirakita t�
dh� tirakita dh�/ge n� dh� ge/dhin n� ge n�
ge n� dh� tira/kitatakatirakita/dh� ge n� dh�
ge n� dh� tira/kitatakatirakita/dh� ge n� dh�
ge n� dh� tira/kitatakatirakita/dh� ge n� dh�
dh� tirakita dh�/ge n� dh� ge/tin n� ke n�
ke n� t� tira/kitatakatirakita/t� ke n� t�
ke n� t� tira/kitatakatirakita/t� ke n� t�
ge n� dh� tira/kitatakatirakita/dh� ge n� dh�
dh� tirakita dh�/ge n� dh� ge/dhin n� ge n�
I have been playing tabla for over a decade now. It is not the only percussion instrument I play but I must admit that this one is particularly fullfilling for me. I truly believe that the expression of these two drums and the rich tradition make the tabla, by far, my favorite. I have studied with Bob Becker, Pandit Sharda Saha� and Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri. Now, as far as being "great", surely not. Only few musicians can be and to become one of these it takes many more then 12 years, maybe even many lives !
