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Tabla is a widely popular South Asian percussion instrument used in music of the northern Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres. The term tabla is derived from an Arabic word which means "drum", and this attests to its status as a product resulting from the fusion of musical elements from indigenous Hindu and Central Asian Muslim cultures that began in the late 16th century. The black spot found on each of the drums that make up the set of tablas, called Syahi, is made of a mixture of flour, water and iron filings. Traditionally, it was applied and removed many times but it is now permanently attached to the drum. It has acquired tremendous international popularity as a result of its large-scale, transnational diffusion started by notable "musical ambassadors" such as the late Ustad Alla Rakha. It has also become a popular fusion instrument and is found in performance and recordings of an array of musical styles from traditional forms such as flamenco to cutting edge electronica, Tabla Beat Science. (more...)