Which famous personality listed below is best known worldwide as a master of the Indian percussion instrument Tabla?

Introduction / Context:

This question again tests the association between leading Indian classical musicians and the instruments they play. The Tabla is a pair of hand drums central to Hindustani classical music as well as many fusion genres. One artist among the options has become almost synonymous with the Tabla on the global stage through concerts, collaborations and recordings.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The instrument mentioned in the stem is the Tabla.
• The question asks which personality is best known for playing this instrument.
• All options are names of classical musicians, but from different instrumental traditions.
• We assume one name clearly stands out as a Tabla maestro.

Concept / Approach:

The approach is to recognise that Zakir Hussain is widely acknowledged as a legendary Tabla player. He has performed with top Indian and western musicians, helped popularise Indian percussion globally and received many prestigious awards. In contrast, Bundu Khan is associated with the Sarangi, P. Mani Iyer with the Mridangam, Ravi Shankar with the Sitar and Ali Akbar Khan with the Sarod. Knowing these specific associations is crucial for precise answering.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

As verification, remember that media coverage and music festival posters introduce Zakir Hussain as a Tabla virtuoso, while Ravi Shankar is always presented as a Sitar legend. Documentary films and music credits reinforce these pairings. No major source describes Bundu Khan, P. Mani Iyer or Ali Akbar Khan as Tabla players. This cross check confirms the accuracy of the choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Bundu Khan: Celebrated Sarangi player, associated primarily with bowed string music.

P. Mani Iyer: A renowned Mridangam player in Carnatic music, not a Tabla specialist.

Ravi Shankar: World famous Sitar maestro who introduced Indian classical music to many global audiences.

Ali Akbar Khan: Master of the Sarod, another plucked string instrument, not a percussion artist.

Common Pitfalls:

Many candidates recognise only Ravi Shankar among the options and may select his name out of familiarity, ignoring the specific reference to Tabla. Another common error is assuming that all names in such lists are interchangeable classical musicians without considering their instruments. Systematic memorisation of musicians and their primary instruments is the best way to avoid confusion.

Final Answer:

The famous personality best known for playing the Tabla is Zakir Hussain.