Design Resource
Tabla Making - Bengaluru, Karnataka
The Fundamental Musical Instruments
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baraland Rakshitha
Tools and Raw Materials
Following are the tools and raw materials required for Tabla Making:
• Leather: Leather acts as the sounding skin by fitting over the top of the drum’s body.
• Nylon Straps: Nylon straps are used for winding around the wooden body of the instruments to tighten the ends that helps in tuning.
• Charcoal: Charcoal is one among the main ingredients used for preparing karane / syahi.
• Adhesive: Synthetic adhesive is mixed with karane and applied at the center of leather covering the drum.
• Cooked Rice: Cooked rice is the ingredient mixed with charcoal for preparing karane.
• A Metal Ring: A metal ring is placed below the spherical shaped metal drum and fixed to it for creating an appropriate base for tabla/ Bayan.
• Neem Wood / Jackfruit Wood: It is used for making the body of the instrument mridanga.
• Big Sized Steel / Brass Bowl: It is used as the body for the instrument tabla/Bayan.
• Compass: Compass is used for drawing the precise circle on the leather.
• Pen / Pencil: It is used for markings.
• Cutter: It is used for cutting the required leather and also to chop off the unnecessary leather.
• Water: Water is used for soaking the leather overnight.
• Limestone Powder: Limestone powder is added to water while soaking the leather in it overnight.
• Basalt: Basalt, a smooth stone used for rubbing karane every time it is dried completely.
• Hammer: Hammer is used for tightening the nylon straps of the instruments.
• Small Wooden Bits: Small wooden bits used in making of Dayan drum for tuning purpose.
• Sticks: Sticks of approximately one centimeter is used for getting the precise pitch in the instruments.
• Castrol Oil: Castrol oil is used for making mridanga to ease the making process/purpose.
