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Have you ever wondered why the tabla player sits to the right of the main artist?
Usually there are 3 artists – one singer/instrumentalist; one percussionist on the right and one supporting melody (violin or harmonium) on the left of the main artist. Both support artists sit at a right angle (90 degrees) to the main artists (they never directly face the audience). This sitting arrangement creates a visual symmetry that is easy on the eyes.
As a musician, I can say with some authority that most musicians feel the need to have some intermittent eye contact with the percussionist, during the performance, to ensure everyone is in sync and not off beat.
Traditionally, the “main artist” is performing for the audience. The other two artists are supporting the main artist by providing rhythm and melody. Hence, they do not look at the audience.
Usually there are 3 artists – one singer/instrumentalist; one percussionist on the right and one supporting melody (violin or harmonium) on the left of the main artist. Both support artists sit at a right angle (90 degrees) to the main artists (they never directly face the audience). This sitting arrangement creates a visual symmetry that is easy on the eyes.
As a musician, I can say with some authority that most musicians feel the need to have some intermittent eye contact with the percussionist, during the performance, to ensure everyone is in sync and not off beat.
Traditionally, the “main artist” is performing for the audience. The other two artists are supporting the main artist by providing rhythm and melody. Hence, they do not look at the audience.
Percussions are a fundamental framework within which the main artist must perform and it seems naturally easy to glance to one’s right side to stay on the beat.
Even our instruments such as Veena, Sitar, Sarod, Violin are designed to be played such that the LEFT hand plays the notes and the RIGHT HAND strums or moves the bow(violin). Even the flute is played such that the orientation is right facing.
Since most artists always maintain some type of eye contact with the percussionist, it is just easier to glance to the right side.
I am a tabla player and I always sit to the right side of my main artist for this reason.
Anand HS
Even our instruments such as Veena, Sitar, Sarod, Violin are designed to be played such that the LEFT hand plays the notes and the RIGHT HAND strums or moves the bow(violin). Even the flute is played such that the orientation is right facing.
Since most artists always maintain some type of eye contact with the percussionist, it is just easier to glance to the right side.
I am a tabla player and I always sit to the right side of my main artist for this reason.
Anand HS
