Thaalam - Theory

Thaalam

This is the measuring unit of time scale (tempo) of a musical composition.

Aavartham

All the precribed angas of a particular thaalam coming once in that thaalam is called an 'Aavartham'. While writing notation, each anga ends with a | sign and each aavartham ends with a || sign.

Kaalam

Kaalam is the measurement of speed of a composition. There are 6 speeds in music.

In each kaalam, the number of swaras is doubled (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32). In practice, only three degrees of speed are used. Trikaalam:

a) Vilamba (slow)/ Prathama kaalam (First speed): Slowest tempo having one short syllable per kriya

b) Madhya (medium)/ Dwiteeya kaalam (Second speed): The tempo of singing is double as compared to Prathama kaalam.

c) Dhrutha (fast)/ Triteeya kaalam (Third speed): The tempo is 4 times as fast as Prathama kaalam or twice compared to Dwiteeya kaalam.

Kaalas have 2 types of counting: Akshara Kaala and Maathra Kaala

Aksharakaalam: One akshara in each count

This is the time taken to sing one short syllable. In elementary lessons and abhyaasa compositions like geethams, akshara kaalas are used.

Maathrakaalam:

Maathra Kaala has 4 aksharas or swaras in a single count. This single count of 4 swaras is called a 'maathra'. Swarajathis, Jathi Swaras, Thaana Varnams, Padavarnams, Vilamba Kaala Krithis are composed in maathra kaala.

Angas of Thaalam (Thaalangas): ‘Shadangas’

In order to facilitate easy and accurate method of reckoning musical time, 6 angas have been devised. There are 6 angas, namely:

Laghu (3/4/5/7/9 aksharas) (denoted as |)

Dhrutham (2 aksharas) (denoted as O)

Anudhrutham (1 akshara) (denoted as U)

Guru (8 aksharas) (denoted as 8 or S)

Plutam (12 aksharas) (denoted as 8' or S')

Kaakapaadam (16 aksharas) (denoted as +)

However, in current day, we are using only Laghu, Dhrutham and Anudhrutham.

 

Jaathi:

Depending on the number of kriyas per laghu, 5 different jaathis have been identified.

Tisra jaathi - 3 kriyas per laghu

Chaturasra jaathi – 4 kriyas per laghu

Khanda jaathi - 5 kriyas per laghu

Misra jaathi - 7 kriyas per laghu

Sankeerna jaathi - 9 kriyas per laghu

 

Saptha Thaalas:

There are 7 basic thaalas known as suladi taalas.

1. Dhruva – |O||

2. Mathya – |O|

3. Rupaka – O|

4. Jhampa – |UO

5. Ata - ||OO

6. Triputa – |OO

7. Eka - |

35 Thaalas and Their Names:

Adi Thaalam: Chaturasra jaathi triputa thaalam

The longest thaalam of the 35 thaalas is Sankeerna Jaathi Dhruva Thaalam.

The shortest thaalam of the 35 thaalas is Trisra Jaathi Eka Thaalam.

Gathi:

Gathi is the pace at which music proceeds. In thaalam, it is applicable for each count of every anga. Although they have the same names, gathi is different from Jaathi.

There are 5 kinds of Gathis:

• Trisra Gathi
• Chathurasra Gathi
• Khanda Gathi
• Misra Gathi
• Sankeerna Gathi 

If gathis are applied to the 35 soolaadi thaalas, then 175 thaalas are generated.

Chaapu Thaalas:

Their origin is in folk music. Only rhythm is maintained. Haridasas took the initiative to systematize chaapu thaalas. Chaapu Thaalas have 2 beats with even or uneven number of aksharas without counting of fingers, but visarjithas are used. There are 4 types of Chaapu Thaalas.

• Trisra Chaapu (1+2=3)
• Khanda Chaapu (2+3=5)
• Misrachaapu (3+4=7) (Viloma Chaapu: 4+3=7)
• Sankeerna Chaapu (4+5=9)

Desaadi and Madhyaadi Thaalams:

They are the contribution of Sri Thyagaraja in the 18th century. With the influence of Tritaal in Hindustani music, these thaalas were created in Carnatic music. Though thaalas of Carnatic music start with a ghaatha, Desaadi and Madhyaadi thaalas start with a visarjitha.

Desaadi Thaalam:  1 visarjitha and 3 ghaathas. The starting point starts after 6 maathras or 1.5 aksharas. This is used only in Madhyama kaala krithis and some jaavalis. Ex: Sarasa saama daana (Kaapinarayani raagam), Raaga Sudharasa (Aandolika raagam), Raghu Vamsa Sudha (Kadanakuthoohalam), Bantureethi (Hamsanaadam).

Madhyaadi Thaalam: The starting point starts after 2 maathras or half aksharam. Examples: Ramakatha sudha (Madhyamavathi), Raghupathey (Sahana), Sambho Mahadeva (Panthuvarali). This is usually seen in Vilamba kaala (slow tempo) krithis and some jaavalis.