I have been watching a lot of Indian instrumental videos recently, and one thing that came to my observation was the role of the tabla. Usually, the tabla is considered as an accompaniment instrument. You have the sitar, sarod, santoor, violin, dilruba, jaltarang, and even the flute as the primary instruments whereas the tabla accompanies these instruments at almost any concert or recital. Tabla is also the default & necessary accompaniment at vocal recitals and classical dance styles like Katthak. Though tabla has been popularized beautifully by the likes of Ustad Alla Rakha Khan and his prodigal son Ustad Zakir Hussain, it still maintains a lower profile than almost every other instrument.
Though inconspicuous, the tabla is one of the most significant instruments at any recital. It is the tabla which sets the pace of any recital, and it is the tabla that maintains the rhythm of any song or rendition. Any song sounds beautiful only if it follows a certain rhythm. In general, beauty is a function of mathematics, especially aural art. So tabla, though not prominent or noticeable, is the silent but significant constituent of any beautiful composition. Without a well-defined rhythm as is set by the tabla, any composition would not sound beautiful.
And that is where a tabla is exactly like God. God is not prominently visible in our life. He always stays in the background, never seen, never heard of. Always remaining incognito, He makes us feel that "we" are doing everything. He is there, but doesn't make Himself conspicuous.
Yet, He is the one who sets the rhythm of our life. Like the tabla, God is the rhythm in our life—silent yet significant. He accompanies us in every endeavor yet remains hardly noticeable. In the absence of His rhythm, our life would not be beautiful. In fact, without the rhythmic heartbeat that He maintains so well, existence itself would be in question. He sets the pace & rhythm of our life and sustains it as well. The more rhythmical our life, the more beautiful it feels. In fact, yogic practices like pranayama make our breathing patterns so rhythmic, that their practitioners not only live longer but an internally beautiful, peaceful and fulfilling life.
Rhythm is the key to a beautiful life since rhythm is a function of mathematics, and so is beauty. Our life would truly be a beautiful composition if the prominent functions of our life are well-aligned with the rhythm set by God. Education, intellect, profession, family, social, economic or political activities etc are the prominent instruments in our life. Even with the best of abilities to play these instruments of life, if we do not follow the universal rhythm, our rendition will not sound charming. We need to listen to, recognize and follow the Cosmic rhythm, for our lives to be beautiful.
Another important lesson that the tabla gives (and so does God), is that even though the tabla has its own individuality, and an independent significance, it's always working hard to enhance the beauty of other instruments. By virtue of this fact, its own beauty is multiplied manifold.
Another important lesson that the tabla gives (and so does God), is that even though the tabla has its own individuality, and an independent significance, it's always working hard to enhance the beauty of other instruments. By virtue of this fact, its own beauty is multiplied manifold.
Thanks a lot, dear tabla, for giving me this wonderful inspiration— inspiration to be grateful for this divine rhythm, and inspiration to be an instrument in enhancing the beauty of others !
