The concluding part of the
three part series on the tabla makers of Pakistan is now presented with the
results of the tabla making challenge.
Each maker was asked to produce a tabla dayaan
tuned to C sharp with a playing skin diameter of 5.75 inches. The main criteria
for judging the best drum was the sound quality, with particular attention
given to the resonance and the uniformity of tone known as ‘thaap-kinaar’. The
skin quality, selection of wood and overall appearance constituted other
factors used to judge the best drum.
Qaiser and Naseer
Hussain
Contact: 0092-3004193296
Wood Selected: Black Sheesham
This drum was selected as the winning entry solely on the basis of the sound. The tone was completely round with excellent sustain. The application of the siyahi was balanced, not too heavy and not too light. The duo of Qaiser and Naseer rightly deserved the award of 50,000 Rupees and justified their status amongst Pakistan’s leading tabla makers by winning the tabla making challenge.
Akhtar Hussain- Haji Nasir-
Aqeel Hussain
Contact: Aqeel Hussain 0092- 3135593355
Wood Selected: Black Sheesham
It was a pretty tight finish between this drum and the eventual winner by Qaiser- Naseer. Overall in terms of appearance and sound, this was the best drum, but the slightly better sound of Qaiser’s dayaan swayed the judges’ favour. Nevertheless, excellent sustain and bright sound. This was the last commissioned work by renowned maker Akhtar Hussain who sadly passed away in April 2010.
Ghulam Abbas ‘Labba’
Wood Selected: Black Sheesham
It was a total surprise to the judges to sample the dayaan by Ghulam Abbas ‘Labba’ as not much is known for his ability to make classical based tablas, although he is one of Qawwali tabla maestro Ustad Dildar Hussain’s favourite makers. The siyahi applied to the skin was heavy in true ‘Dhonkal’ style and the sound characterized by heavy sustain. The tone of the dayaan had more mid levels compared with highs of the drums by Qaiser and Akhtar. Overall, this was an excellent sounding drum.
Mushtaq Hussain
Wood Selected: Black Sheesham
Senior craftsman Mushtaq’s dayaan came in at a worthy and respectable fourth position. The drum was characterized by a warm tone and very comfortable to play as a result of the ‘kinaar’ being adequately cut and balanced application of the siyahi.
Mujahid Hussain Tufail
‘Labba’
Wood Selected: Black Sheesham
The son of renowned maker Tufail Hussain, Mujahid Labba was a late entrant to the competition but nonetheless did a fabulous job. The dayaan had a similar tone to Mushtaq Hussain’s drum. The dayaan further strengthened Labba’s position amongst the finest tabla makers in Pakistan by ranking amongst the top five makers in the competition.
Congratulations to Qaiser and Naseer on winning the tabla competition, but in all honesty, there was very little separating the top five drums. It also must be noted that the makers not featuring in the top five are equally as competent in producing outstanding tablas.
In January 2010, fourteen of
the most prominent tabla makers of Pakistan agreed to participate in a
competition to make a tabla dayaan drum. The competition was primarily a tool
to engage the craftsmen to showcase their ability and market them before a
potential international client base. The winner would receive an amount of
50,000 Pakistani Rupees.
 |
| Winners Qaiser Hussain and Naseer Hussain |
The following are details on the top five drums.
There was very little to differentiate between the five makers apart from that
‘very little extra’. We start off with the winners, brothers Qaiser Hussain and
Naseer Hussain.
Qaiser and Naseer
HussainContact: 0092-3004193296
Wood Selected: Black Sheesham
This drum was selected as the winning entry solely on the basis of the sound. The tone was completely round with excellent sustain. The application of the siyahi was balanced, not too heavy and not too light. The duo of Qaiser and Naseer rightly deserved the award of 50,000 Rupees and justified their status amongst Pakistan’s leading tabla makers by winning the tabla making challenge.
Akhtar Hussain- Haji Nasir-
Aqeel HussainContact: Aqeel Hussain 0092- 3135593355
Wood Selected: Black Sheesham
It was a pretty tight finish between this drum and the eventual winner by Qaiser- Naseer. Overall in terms of appearance and sound, this was the best drum, but the slightly better sound of Qaiser’s dayaan swayed the judges’ favour. Nevertheless, excellent sustain and bright sound. This was the last commissioned work by renowned maker Akhtar Hussain who sadly passed away in April 2010.
Ghulam Abbas ‘Labba’Wood Selected: Black Sheesham
It was a total surprise to the judges to sample the dayaan by Ghulam Abbas ‘Labba’ as not much is known for his ability to make classical based tablas, although he is one of Qawwali tabla maestro Ustad Dildar Hussain’s favourite makers. The siyahi applied to the skin was heavy in true ‘Dhonkal’ style and the sound characterized by heavy sustain. The tone of the dayaan had more mid levels compared with highs of the drums by Qaiser and Akhtar. Overall, this was an excellent sounding drum.
Mushtaq HussainWood Selected: Black Sheesham
Senior craftsman Mushtaq’s dayaan came in at a worthy and respectable fourth position. The drum was characterized by a warm tone and very comfortable to play as a result of the ‘kinaar’ being adequately cut and balanced application of the siyahi.
Mujahid Hussain Tufail
‘Labba’Wood Selected: Black Sheesham
The son of renowned maker Tufail Hussain, Mujahid Labba was a late entrant to the competition but nonetheless did a fabulous job. The dayaan had a similar tone to Mushtaq Hussain’s drum. The dayaan further strengthened Labba’s position amongst the finest tabla makers in Pakistan by ranking amongst the top five makers in the competition.
Congratulations to Qaiser and Naseer on winning the tabla competition, but in all honesty, there was very little separating the top five drums. It also must be noted that the makers not featuring in the top five are equally as competent in producing outstanding tablas.
It is hoped that you have enjoyed reading the
series on Pakistani tabla making and it should provide the craftsmen necessary
exposure to reach out to more customers. For further information, please feel
free to contact the makers directly or send an e-mail to me on sadarang786@googlemail.com
I would like to sincerely thank Usman Malik for logistical assistance in
transporting the drums to the UK and Peter A. Brandt for reviewing the script of this
write-up.
Posts
this is really a great project, good work saqib bhai, did the winning tabla go to anybody??
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