> there's some very well developed verbalization of percussion

It's called bol[1] in Hindustani music, and koṉṉakkōl[2] in Carnatic music. The basic 4-count syllables are 'na dhin dhin na' in the former, and 'ta ka dhi mi' in the latter.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bol_(music)

[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konnakol

Both are easily heard and seen performed by live musicians in the archetypal North and South Indian dance forms, Kathak and Bharatanatyam respectively.