What did the first tabla look like?

The first tabla, which originated in India, is believed to have been a smaller, simpler percussion instrument made from a hollowed-out piece of wood or clay, with a single skin stretched over it. Early tablas typically featured a rounded body and a single membrane, unlike the modern version, which consists of two separate drums: the smaller "dayan" made from wood and the larger "bayan" made from metal or clay. The playing technique was rudimentary, focusing on hand strikes rather than the complex finger techniques used today. Overall, the initial design laid the groundwork for the intricate and versatile instrument the tabla has become.