Question

According to scholars, the origin of Tabla is considered from which of the following ancient instruments ?

• A. Tripushkar
• B. Panav
• C. Dardur
• D. Patah

Hint:

The word "Tripushkar" means three drums. The multi-drum configuration and the practice of using center-weight loading on the skins make it the primary historical ancestor of the modern Tabla.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: Musicological research traces modern Indian percussion instruments back to ancient multi-headed drums described in classic texts like the *Natyashastra*. These historical instruments shared similar physical properties, tuning mechanisms, and layout distributions.

Step 1: Analyze the structure of the ancient Tripushkar.
The ancient Tripushkar was a three-headed drum system consisting of three separate components: the *Vamaka* (left drum), the *Haritaka* (right drum), and the *Urdhvaka* (vertical drum facing upwards). Musicians applied a specialized clay paste called *Marjana* to the center of the skins to lower the pitch and create a resonant bass tone.

Step 2: Connect the ancient design to the modern Tabla system.
Scholars point out that the arrangement, hand techniques, and specialized multi-drum configuration of the Tripushkar directly evolved into the modern two-piece Tabla system (consisting of the right-hand *Dayan* and the left-hand *Bayan*). This historical lineage represents the transition of ancient ensemble drumming into modern classical accompaniment.