Nikās: The Expression of Bol

Nikās is an important term for tabla players, one that’s closely related to tabla bols.

Somehow, the most common English translation of nikās came to be “technique”. While technique is important for nikas, the essence of term is distinct from technique.

We’ll look at the literal meaning of the term below. But for tabla, here’s a better definition of nikās:

Nikas refers to how a bol or composition is expressed or articulated according to one’s teacher or lineage.

Technique is obviously important because that’s how we produce the desired expression. But the focus should really be on the expression itself.

If you’re only thinking of technique, then you might be missing the point.

The Literal Meaning of Nikās

According to the Oxford Hindi-English dictionary, the noun nikās (निकास) has a number of related meanings, including:

• place of exit
• outlet
• product or yield

Nikās is related to the verb nikalnā (निकलना), which includes similar meanings. For tabla players, the most important meanings are:

• to find expression or utterance (feelings, words)
• to be brought out, produced

No definitions mention the word “technique”. But most have something to do with expression or production.

So nikas for tabla players is closely related to the literal meaning.

You are expressing a bol the way it should be in your lineage.

You are bringing out the proper feeling and articulation.

You’re playing a bol like it should be played.

Nikās According to Zakir Hussain

In a video on YouTube, Zakir Hussain gives a wonderful discussion of nikas.

When he sums up his definition, he says that nikas in “”A heartfelt, naturally developed, spontaneously instinctive production of the material you have learned as a student.”

One of the most illuminating parts is where he tells a story of how he couldn’t get the proper articulation of a famous Punjabi kayda when he was young.

He couldn’t play it well using the technique that his father taught him. So he changed his technique in order to get the right nikas!

So nikas is not technique. But technique is a means to nikas.

(Note: I can no longer find this video. It was titled “Zakir Hussain Special lesson on Tabla Nikaas”. If anyone can find it, please send me the link in the contact form.)