Tabla
तबला
TUB-lah
Tabla (तबला) is a Persian-origin word used in Indian English, meaning pair of small hand drums central to Hindustani classical and popular music. In crosswords it is the 5-letter answer TABLA (5).
Appears as an answer in MG Mini #207.
Meaning & usage
The tabla is a pair of small hand drums — the larger bass dagga on the left, the smaller treble dayan on the right — that together form the rhythmic foundation of North Indian (Hindustani) classical music. The instrument is played with the fingers and palms, and a virtuoso player generates an extraordinary range of pitched tones. Zakir Hussain made the instrument internationally famous; he is the son of the equally legendary Alla Rakha.
In a sentence
The tabla player held the tempo all night without slipping.
Tabla as a crossword answer
Tabla is a 5-letter answer. A typical clue:
“Pair of small hand drums central to Hindustani classical and popular music” (5)
Know a word we’re missing? Submit a word.