Bols: The "language of rhythm"; drum syllables

The basic strokes:

Na

Tin

Ti

Te

Ka

Ge

Dha

Dhin

Tin

Taal: The rhythmic cycle

Different taals have different numbers of matras (beats)

e.g. Teen Taal (16), Kaherwa Taal (8), Rupak (7), Dadra (6)

The taal begins and ends on the sam (the downbeat that starts the cycle)

The taal is broken into vibhaags (divisions of differing matras)

• There is a "full" section (tali)
• And an empty section (kali) in every cycle

These divisions are indicated by hand and finger movements

Theka: Fixed combinations of bols that correspond to each taal

Teen Taal (16 matras)

+ (sam)		2 (tali)		0 (kali)		3 (tali)
dha dhin dhin dha	|	dha dhin dhin dha	|	dha tin tin ta	|	ta dhin dhin dha

Daadra Taal (6 matras)

+		0
dha dhin na	|	dha tin na

A typical performance begins with an arrhythmic section (alap - see last class)
When the theka is introduced, there is a gradual movement from slow (vilambit) to fast (drut) tempo
There is also a gradual merging of raag and taal
The many types of rhythmic theme compositions include kayda, rela, peshkar, and laggi
These compositions are ancient, and are transmitted from guru to disciple

As with raag, improvisation involves the creative manipulation of theme compositions - presenting a known composition, re-arranging it, and then turning it inside out!

1> Zakir Hussain (tabla) and Ustad Sultan Khan (sarangi).
From the album Magical Moments of Rhythm

2> "Dha ti dha ge tin na gi na" by Zakir Hussain.
From the album Magical Moments of Rhythm.