Tabla is a percussion instrument made of wood, metal, brass, cloth, clay, copper, aluminum, steel, rice, wheat, charcoal powder, plant fiber, iron, nickel, gum, soot, buffalo skin, goatskin, leather, and glue. This is a traditional instrument that is found in various parts of North India. It is an important rhythmic accompaniment to solo and instrumental music ensembles as well as a solo performance instrument. 
Tabla is derived from the Arabic word tabl, meaning an instrument facing upwards, with a flat surface or drum. A similar percussion instrument was first seen in a 200 BCE Buddhist carving in Bhaja caves, Maharashtra. Discovered in 1799, it depicted two women, one playing a pair of drums while another dances to its beats. Tabla has a complex playing technique. It involves extensive use of fingers and palms which produces a wide variety of different sounds and rhythms called mnemonic syllables (bol). It is played in two ways- band bol (tali) and khula bol (khali).