Thalas

Theory of Thalas in Carnatic music
              

Parts of a thala :

Name                          Aksharas                    Symbol
                                      (count)

Laghu                                varies                           1
(A beat & counts)

Dhrutham                             2                               0
(A beat & a turn)

Anu Dhrutham                      1                               U
(Simply a beat)


Laghu - explained


Dhrutham & Anudhrutham

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Types of thala :

Name                                      Formula

Dhruva Thalam                            1011

Matya Thalam                                101

Roopaka Thalam                             01

Jampa Thalam                               1U0

Thriputa Thalam                            100
  
Ata Thalam                                  1100

Eka Thalam                                        1


7 Thalas in Carnatic
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 Types of laghu :

Name                          Aksharas
                                     (counts)

Thisra Jathi laghu                 3

Chatusra Jathi laghu             4

Kanda Jathi laghu                 5

Misra Jathi laghu                   7

Sankeerna Jathi laghu          9


5 Types of Laghus

Therefore the total number of thalas = 7 types of thalas X 5 jathis of laghu = 35 nos.

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 How to calculate the total aksharas for a thalam :

Step 1 : Write the formula for the thala            

Step 2 : Substitute the values for laghu/dhrutham/anu dhrutham etc.,

Step 3: Add the values and arrive the total aksharas

Example 1:

Chatusra Jathi Dhruva Thalam :

Step 1 :           1011

Step 2 :           4+2+4+4

Step 3 :           Total = 14 aksharas      

Example 2:

Misra Jathi Ata Thalam :

Step 1 :           1100

Step 2 :           7+7+2+2

Step 3 :           Total = 18 aksharas      

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Alankarams are very important in music, and we have to understand and practice I speed, II speed and III speed for all thalas.

Basicall we practice only 7 thalas.  Click here to view the basic alankarams...

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