What genre of music is characterized by instruments such as the sitar and tabla?

The genre of music characterized by instruments such as the sitar and tabla is Indian Music. The sitar is a plucked string instrument commonly associated with Hindustani classical music, which is prominent in northern India. It features a long neck with movable frets, allowing for the complex melodic structures typical of Indian ragas. The tabla, on the other hand, is a percussion instrument made up of two hand-played drums, which provides intricate rhythm patterns essential to the performance of many forms of Indian music, including both classical and popular styles.

Indian Music encompasses a wide variety of genres, including classical, folk, and contemporary styles, and is deeply rooted in cultural traditions and spiritual practices. The unique characteristics of these instruments, along with their cultural significance, make Indian Music distinct from the genres represented by the other options provided, which feature different traditional instruments and musical styles.