One of the most played percussions in the North Indian musical context is the tablā. 

This is a pair of tunable digital percussions: a wooden barrel for the high-pitched drum, dāyan, and a metallic timpani for the low-end, bāyan. Each is covered with goatskin to which is attached a large round pellet. The instrument's sophisticated craftsmanship allows it to be tuned very finely, to bring out harmonics and to obtain a wide variety of tones. These sounds are produced by complex strikes of the fingers, palm or hand, and by combinations obtained by playing simultaneously on the drum and on the timpani.

Indian percussionists use a unique language of codified onomatopoeias, called bol, which can express all of its sounds. Each bowl corresponds to a sound, produced by a strike or a combination of strikes. These sounds come together in short sentences, then in small compositions, real "rhythmic melodies" where mathematics hold a large place. Finally, arranged respecting a structure defined by tradition reminiscent of that of a literary text, they can give rise to long compositions, interpreted during solo percussion recitals. Bol language plays a very important role in learning where recitation always precedes instrumental performance. 

The tablā is now used in many musical traditions, far beyond the Hindustani music scene.