Dholak is most popular taal instrument in India. We see every house is having dholak and played on some happy festive occasions. Generally ladies gathered and sing songs like bhajans, film songs, mehandi songs, dance numbers etc. Only few ladies are perfect to play and match the taal with the song. Matching the taal with the song's mood and timing is necessary for any percussion instrument.
Even boys and man also play dholak their style of playing dholak is some different than ladies style. Ladies style dholak has some simple beats. But man have heavy hand and tirkit and alankars are frequently use in playing stylish dholak. Some famous taals like Kaharwa, Dadra, Rupak, Dhol taal are very famous to play. Kaharwa taal is of 8 beats or matra and Dadra taal is of 6 beats or matra, Rupak Taal is of 7 beats or matra. India have variety of taals which is not seen in foreign country. In foreign only Dadra, Kaharwa is played and its kind is played. In India in Tabla so many beats or matra taals are there and learned by students of Tabla like 4, 6, 7,8,9,10,11, 12,14,15,16 and so many other matra taals. It is a sea. You take a dip in the sea of Taals and you will see so many beautiful shankh, seep and even moti of melodius rhythms also which will bound you to dance in different ways.