Contents: Preamble. Part I. Theory: 1. Music / Gharana. 2. Tal Lipi (Tal Script). 3. Tabla and its parts. 4. Method of tuning Tabla. 5. Tal or taal. 6. Technical words of Tabla. 7. Layakari. Part II. Practical: 8. Traditional composition in Teen Tal. 9. Composition in Rupaktal. 10. Composition in Jhaptal. 11. Composition in Ektal. 12. Composition in Adachartal. 13. Paran in Sultal. 14. Mukhara or Mohara. 15. Talas of Tabla are used in light and classical music.

"The Tabla is the most popular percussion instrument of North India. Each sound on the Tabla has an onomatopoetic syllable to represent it. Therefore, the Tabla player must learn to speak a new language in addition to playing. These syllables are, in fact, the main mode of teaching and communicating Tabla material. They help the student to understand the sound to be produced and aid the memorization of compositions.

There are many books available on the subject of Tabla and writers have written, focusing their own ideas. No doubt, these books are useful for students, but some specific terms are left unexplained viz. controversy in technical words and some specific clarifications in practical / experimental aspect, which is very essential for the students. Proper knowledge of Gharana (style) is very important." (jacket)