Sounds of Rajastan

this is actually an ancestor of tassa drumming... the nagara drums were played in india then brought to trinidad by our forefathers which then evolved into tassa

tassa is same instrument as tasha, i dont know if the tasha comes from nagara, but the evolution happened in india and was taken to trinidad. the playing style of tassa is different of course. the african influence is clear cuz u have a bunch making a base rhythm and one of solos and then someone else takes over, like djembe-dundun stuff. in india tasha is played in processions, not for dancing

Actually I have to agree and also disagree with you. The majority of tassa (tasha) hands in Trinidad are Indian based. The two hands that are indegenous to Trinidad with complete creole (african roots) style are the "steel pan" and "soca" hands. You have to understand that tasha is played all over India, and Indians in Trinidad come from all parts of India, so they brought the styles. If you go to south India, ppl dance to tasha as they have similar rhythms to that in Trinidad.

Is this an old style of drumming in India or relatively new (within the last 100 yrs)? Amazing. Similar in some ways to American stick drumming (jazz, rudimental). Thanks, GregB

I believe it is a very old style of drumming.