Tabla Tradition, Rhythms From India

Tabla Tradition, Rhythms From India is a studio album by Indian tabla maestro Alla Rakha. The album was released on January 1, 1991. It features solo tabla performances and collaborations with other instrumentalists, showcasing traditional North Indian rhythmic compositions.

Alla Rakha, a prominent exponent of the Punjab gharana of tabla playing, recorded the album as a demonstration of classical rhythmic structures. The release consists of three tracks, each highlighting distinct taals (rhythmic cycles) and tempos. The first track, Teentaal-Vilambit-Matta Taal, presents a slow and meditative exploration of Teentaal, a 16-beat cycle, followed by a transition into Matta Taal. The second track, Punjabi Dhamar-Teentaal-Drut, combines Dhamar, a 14-beat cycle associated with the Punjab tradition, with Teentaal in a faster tempo. The third track, Teentaal (with Sultan Khan), features Alla Rakha in duet with sarangi player Sultan Khan, emphasizing improvisational interplay within the Teentaal framework.

The album was produced under the World Music Institute label, though specific production credits beyond the primary artist are not documented. It serves as a representation of Alla Rakha’s technical precision and interpretive depth in classical tabla repertoire. The release date and tracklist details are based on available records, but additional contextual information about recording sessions or liner notes is not publicly confirmed.