The tabla[nb 1] is a membranophone percussion instrument originating from the Indian subcontinent, consisting of a pair of drums, used in traditional, classical, popular and folk music.[1] It has been a particularly important instrument in Hindustani classical music since the 18th century, and remains in use in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.[2] The name tabla likely comes from tabl, the Persian and Arabic word for drum.[3] However, the ultimate origin of the musical instrument is contested by scholars, some tracing it to West Asia, others tracing it to the evolution of indigenous musical instruments of the Indian subcontinent.[4] Some famous Tablists include Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pandit Kumar Bose, Ustad Allah Rakha Qureshi, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, Ustad Tari Khan, Pandit Nishikant Barodekar and Pandit Yogesh Samsi.