The main rhythmic instrument of North Indian Classical Music is the tabla .

The tabla belongs to the category of percussion instruments which have a hollow interior covered with a leather surface. The tabla is comprised of two cylindrical bodies of contrasting sound production, the daya and the baya . The higher-pitched tones are produced on the daya , and the larger in size of the two on which low-pitched sounds are produced is the baya . The beauty and essence of tabla -playing lie in the harmonious balance between the daya and baya .

It is believed that the tabla was adopted by the eminent musicologist of his time, Amir Khusro, to especially accompany the soft and romantic singing style of India known as khayal gayaki . Today however, the tabla is a highly versatile percussion instrument, which is played solo or in the accompaniment with just about any musical instrument in the world.