A bol, is a mnemonic syllable. It is used in Indian music to define the tala, or rhythmic pattern, and is one of the most important parts of Indian rhythm. Bol is derived from the Hindi word bolna, which means "to speak." The bol defines the concepts behind the classical tabla. Indian music is: The music of India or Native American music This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The term Tala can refer to: A rhythmic pattern in Carnatic or Hindustani (where it is also spelled taal or tal) music. ... // Rhythm (Greek ρυθμός = tempo) is the variation of the duration of sounds or other events over time. ...

Mnemonic syllables are used in a variety of classical drumming situations in India. They are found in the pakhawaj, tabla, and mridangam. However since terms such as "solkattu" are used for the mridangam, and the pakhawaj has become rather rare, we can focus our attention on the tabla when discussing the bols. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... A typical set of Tabla. ... The mridangam is a percussion instrument from South India. ...

There is only a very loose connection between the bols and their technique. Sometimes different techniques are used because different musicians represent different gharanas, or musical styles. Sometimes different techniques are used in order to get a technical advantage (e.g., playing very fast). Sometimes different techniques are used simply because a different artistic statement is being made. For these reasons, it is impossible to categorically say that a certain bol will be executed in any one fashion. In Hindustani music, a gharānā is a system of social organization which groups musicians who are linked by lineage and/or discipleship and who adhere to a particular musical style. ...

Simple tabla strokes

• Taa - A sharp stroke of the right hand. This stroke is sometimes played the same as Naa
• Dhaa - A combination of Taa and Ga
• Tin - A more mellow stroke of the right hand
• Tun - An open stroke of the right hand
• Dhi- This stroke varies with the context. Sometimes it is synonymous with Dhin
• Din - This is an older version of Dhin. It is commonly found in compositions which are derived from the pakhawaj
• Ti - This stroke varies with the context. Sometimes it is synonymous with Tin
• Tr - This is a flam of the right hand
• Kin - Generally held to be equivalent to Ka
• Ka - This is usually a flat, nonresonant stroke of the left hand.
• Ki - same as Ka
• Kat - Same as Ka. In older pakhawaj compositions it was sometimes played with the right hand
• Tu - Same as Tun
• Thun - Same as Tun
• Ne - The technique of Ne varies. It is often a nonresonant stroke of the right hand
• Na - Sometimes this is the same as Ne, sometimes it is the same as Naa
• Ga - A resonant stroke of the right hand
• Gha - Same as Ga
• Ghe - Same as Ga
• Naa - A sharp stroke of the right hand