Tala (music)

In Indian classical music, Tala (tāl (Hindi), tāla (anglicised from tālaṃ in Sanskrit), literally a "clap", is a rhythmical pattern that determines the rhythmical structure of a composition. Each composition is set to a tala, and as a composition is rendered by the main artist(s), the percussion artist(s) play the pattern repeatedly, marking time as well as enhancing the appeal of the performance.

Related Topics:
Indian classical music - Hindi - Anglicised - Sanskrit

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The most common instrument for keeping rhythm in Hindustani music is the tabla. In Carnatic music, the Mridangam is a stock feature in vocal, violin, Veena and flute concerts, with the Ghatam, the Khanjira and the Morsing also featuring at times. In Nagaswaram concerts, the Thavil takes the place of the Mridangam.

Related Topics:
Hindustani music - Tabla - Carnatic music - Mridangam - Violin - Veena - Flute - Ghatam - Khanjira - Morsing - Nagaswaram - Thavil

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While Indian classical music has a complete and complex system for the execution and transcription of rhythms and beats, a few talas are very common while most others are rare. The most common Tala in Hindustani classical music is Tintal. This tala has a cycle of 16 beats divided in 4 bars. Bars 1,2 and 4 are accented while bar 3 is light. Most talas can be played at different speeds, but no tala is generally slowed down as much as Ektal, with its 12 beats sometimes taking more than a minute.

Related Topics:
Hindustani classical music - Tintal - Ektal

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