Carnatic Taal System

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Taalam is a very interesting topic and holds important position for the students of Bharatnatyam. It is very important for us to understand few terms before getting into the divisions of the Jaatis, Taalams and Naadais. Click on each of the terms to see the through definitions and details. Time measurement as per ancient Hindu culture that is followed is also very important to know (it is a good to know information). 


There are Pancha Jaatis and Sapta Taal that form the core of Carnatic Taal System. Each of the 7 Taalam can be divided into 5 Jaatis, which gives us 35 combinations (7 multiplied by 5). Each of these 35 combinations can be further divided into Dhrut, Anudhrut and Laghu. Now these 35 combinations can each be done in 5 speed or Pancha Naadai which gives us  (35 multiplied by 5) 175 combinations.   


 Now lets follow the below chart which contains a detailed description of the Carnatic Taal System.


Note : We have put the Sanskrit names of the taalas and the divisions in bracket. We will soon be posting videos explaining these. If any on you have any doubts or questions relate to this, do feel free to email or post comments.

Name
Tisra
Chatusra
Khanda
Mishra
Sankirnam
Dhruvam
(Indraneelam)


Symbol    l0ll
(Mani)
3+2+3+3=11

Laghu=3 (9Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra)
(Shrikara)
4+2+4+4=14

Laghu=3 (12Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra)
(Pramaana)
5+2+5+5=17

Laghu=3 (15Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra)
(Poorna)
7+2+7+7=23

Laghu=3 (21Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra)
(Bhuvana)
9+2+9+9=29

Laghu=3 (27Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra)
Mitiyum or Matya
(Mahavajram)

 Symbol    l0l
(Saara)
3+2+3=8

Laghu=2
(6Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra)
(Sama)
4+2+4=10

Laghu=2
(8Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra
(Udaya)
5+2+5=12

Laghu=2
(10Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra
(Udeerna)
7+2+7=16

Laghu=2
(14 Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra
(Raava)
9+2+9=20

Laghu=2
(18Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra)
Rupakam
(Nirdosham)


Symbol    0l
(Chakra)
2+3=5

Laghu=1
(3Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra)
(Patti)
2+4=6

Laghu=1
(4Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra)
(Raja)
2+5=7

Laghu=1
(5Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra)
(Kulu)
2+7=9

Laghu=1
(7Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra)
(Bindu)
2+9=11

Laghu=1
(9Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra)
Jhampa
(Sreeram)


Symbol    lU0
(Kadamba)
3+1+2=6

Laghu=1 (3Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra)
Anudrut =1
(1 Matra)
(Madhura)
4+1+2=7

Laghu=1 (4Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra)
Anudrut =1
(1 Matra)
(Chana)
5+1+2=8

Laghu=1 (5Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra)
Anudrut =1
(1 Matra)
(Sura)
7+1+2=10

Laghu=1 (7Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra)
Anudrut =1
(1 Matra)
(Kara)
9+1+2=12

Laghu=1 (9Matra)
Dhrut = 1 (2Matra)
Anudrut =1
(1 Matra)

Triput
(Kolaam)


Symbol   l00
(Shankha)
3+2+2= 7

Laghu=1 (3Matra)
Dhrut = 2 (4Matra)
(Adi)
4+2+2=8

Laghu=1 (4Matra)
Dhrut = 2 (4Matra)
(Dushkara)
5+2+2=9

Laghu=1 (5Matra)
Dhrut = 2 (4Matra)
(Leela)
7+2+2=11

Laghu=1 (7Matra)
Dhrut = 2 (4Matra)
(Bhoga)
9+2+2=13

Laghu=1 (9Matra)
Dhrut = 2 (4Matra)
Adda or Atta
(Avartakam)



Symbol   ll00
(Guptha)
3+3+2+2=10

Laghu=2
(6Matra)
Dhrut = 2 (4Matra)
(Lekha)
4+4+2+2=12

Laghu=2
(8Matra)
Dhrut = 2 (4Matra)
(Vidala)
5+5+2+2=14

Laghu=2
(10Matra)
Dhrut = 2 (4Matra)
(Loya)
7+7+2+2=18

Laghu=2
(14Matra)
Dhrut = 2 (4Matra)
(Dheera)
9+9+2+2=22

Laghu=2
(18Matra)
Dhrut = 2 (4Matra)

Ekam
(Sadananda)
Symbol    l
(Sudha)
    3
Laghu=1 (3Matra)
(Maana)
     4
Laghu=1 (4Matra)
(Raatha)
     5
Laghu=1 (5Matra)
(Raaga)
     7
Laghu=1 (7Matra)
(Vasu)
    9
Laghu=1 (9Matra)


Taal or Taalam : Taalam is a time measurement in a musical composition. Taalam is important to bring in a balance in the musical composition. Like Mudras are used for expressing the Bhava in a dance, Angas are used to express the Taalam.

 

 Anga in Taalam : Angas  are the hand gestures through which taalam is expressed. There are  three types of Angas through which Taalam is expressed.

       i) Anudhrutam : Just a clap. The symbol for expression Anudrutam is "U". Only Jhampa talam has            anudhrutam in it.

       ii) Dhrutam :  Clap and then turn of hand. The symbol for expression Drutam is "O". It had 2                      matras which is constant.

       iii) Laghu : Clap and count through fingers. The symbol for expression Laghu is "l". The matra of               laghu changes as per the Jaatis. 

       iv) Gruru : Value 8 matra. Not in use anymore.

        v) Plutam : Value 2 matra. Not in use anymore.

        vi) Kakapadam : Value 16 matra. Not in use anymore.

 

Naadai : Naadai is a Telegu word used for expressing the time difference between a beat and the next one. 

 Gaati : Gaati means speed. It is used for expressing the speed in which the sollokatus are said. There are 3 gaatis - Vilambita, Madhyama, Dhrutam. 


Avartanam  : Avartanam means cycle or repetation.











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