The smaller of the two drums is played using the dominant and is known as dayan (which means “right” in English). However, the correct term for it is tabla. The dayan or smaller drum is made using a conical piece of wood, generally teak and rosewood that is hollowed out to about half of its depth. It is tuned to a particular note like dominant, subdominant or tonic complementing the melody. The range of tune of a dayan is limited. However, they are made in various sizes, each having different tuning range. Wood blocks that are in cylindrical shape, called ghatta, are placed in between the strap that is used to bind the upper and bottom ring, and the shell facilitating the adjustment of the tension by moving them up and down vertically.

The larger of the two drums is played using the other hand and is known as bāyāñ (which means “left” in English). The bass tone of bāyāñ is quite deeper than its naqqara (kettle drum) from which it is believed to be originated. It is made from different materials like brass (the most common one), copper, steel, aluminum and wood.

The shells of the drums are covered with a head, called puri, which is made by using cow or goat skin. The keenar or the outer ring also made from skin is laid over the main skin to repress the overtones. The two skins are held together with an intricate woven tress that provides the needed strength and tension to the assembly. The head is then bound to the shell by using a single strap made either from camel or cow hide, which is laced between the tress of the head assembly and the bottom ring (usually made from the material similar to that of the strap) of the shell.

There is a large black spot on the head of both the drums known as syahi (which means “ink” in English). This made by mixing starch, generally of wheat or rice, with black powder of different types. This precise region is responsible for its pitch clarity and unique tone.

The history about how and when tabla was invented is not quite certain. According to Rebecca Stewart, author of The Tabla in Perspective Unpublished thesis, UCLA, 1974, tabla more likely was a hybrid of three drums – pakhawaj, naqqara and dholak. While the famous account claims Amir Khusrau, a popular Indian poet, as the creator who split the Pakhawaj (a single drum instrument) into two in the 13th century. However, the dependable historical evidence establishes the invention of the tabla took place some time in the 18th century with Ustad Suddhar Khan of Delhi being the first provable player of this instrument.

Asian Underground music is the expression that is generally attributed to Asian musicians in United Kingdom, ethnically belonging to countries in South Asia like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, who combine the aspects of western form of underground dance music and ethnic music of the countries of their origin. Many of these musicians and artists are the descendants of Asian immigrants who grew up in western countries, but still got a strong Asian connection through their ancestors. Anokha – Soundz of the Asian Underground, which was released in the year 1997 was the first renowned album composed by Talvin Singh and Sweety Kapoor.

During the 1990’s, the genre grew quite popular and rose to the mainstream. Asian Underground music and other South Asian forms started to influence the mainstream pop genre in UK with Siouxsie & the Banshees, Bananarama, Björk and Erasure all introduced singles or remixes using instruments of South Asia. Later in 1999, Talvin Singh got the Mercury Music Prize for his album “OK”. The genre wasn’t that popular in India and other South Asian countries with only internationally popular song “Mundian To Bach Ke” from Panjabi MC getting recognition until recently. Today, the genre is slowly spreading across India with many DJ’s playing it regularly in bars and nightclubs.

DJ Tuhin Mehta who only plays underground music is so quite famous and regularly plays it in Mumbai clubs. DJ Charlie often organizes “Twisted” nights devoted to the genre.

In Asian underground music many traditional as well as comparatively new instruments are used. The traditional instruments are tabla and sitar, along with modern instruments like acoustic or electronic drum kit and synthesizer. Electric bass is used by some groups such as Tabla Beat Science. Bansuri, dholak and sarangi are among the several other instruments that are also used.