Every year, one of the most important holidays in India falls between October and November. The purpose of the festival is to celebrate the end of the previous year's harvest. winter. Nowadays, it is celebrated by family gatherings, festive lights and worship of Lakshmi. Despite religious affiliation, most Indians can celebrate Diwali as it has become a national holiday over time. The story of Diwali is interpreted differently by Hindus depending on where they live. The Wichita Cultural Association of India (CAI) annually hosts an event at a location in Wichita to celebrate Diwali. This year the festival was held at Century II in the Mary Jane Teall Theatre. The event took place on November 20th during the evening. There were several performances including dancing, playing instruments and singing. While most performances have been performed to a recorded track, the festival has featured live instruments in the past. One of these instruments is the tabla. The tabla is the most famous percussion instrument of North India. The tabla is made up of two drums that appear to be of various sizes: one small and one large. Tablas are played almost completely only with the use of the fingers. Each drum has a head that is tapped or struck to produce a sound. The heads are usually made of goatskin. This leather can tend to wear out over time; however, it can be replaced with a new skin over the wooden or metal part. This way it can practically become a brand new tool. However, the work should be carried out by an expert. Each drum also has some sort of black dot in the center. This blackhead is actually a paste; typically, made of iron, rubber, soot, and/or rice. This paste allows for a variety of special sounds. Both drums each have an individu...... middle of paper ......arikh professes that musician is not part of his title, but rather engineer: "I do manufacturing and engineering, whatever you want [ be done ] with the production, I will take care of it.” Currently, Parikh is the chief operating officer of a design and manufacturing company based here in Wichita. Even though he has to devote his time elsewhere, he still finds time for tabla here and there. sometimes he teaches Sunday school in his temple. From time to time he plays with friends: "every now and then, when friends get together, we play some music". He doesn't take money, he says and repeats that he is not a professional. Parikh is a man who plays a very old instrument which he believes will continue to be popular for years to come. Parikh is a man in his sixties who sees a very bright future for the tabla.