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Lesson 12: Introduction to Tisra Jati: Dadra Tala and Khemta Tala

 

Up to this point, every rhythmic cycle studied was based on counts of 4s. Tintal has sixteen matras, Kaherva tala has eight matras, Prabhupada has sixteen matras, and Bhajani tala has eight matras. To re-emphasize rhythms, kartal accompaniment was primarily cycles of four. Just as a refresher, play the audio clip and count out 1-2-3-4 as indicated in the rhythmic diagram below.

 

X
1	2	3	4
OPEN		CLOSED	CLOSED

 

✇AUDIO CLIP: Kartals Playing Catasra Jati

 

This category of rhythms is formally known as catasra jati, or the “caste of rhythms based on counts of 4.” For Lesson 12, 13, and 14, we will discuss rhythmic cycles that are in counts of 3s. This is known as tisra jati. There are five rhythmic cycles that we will study.

 

Dadra Tala (Lesson 12)

Khemta Tala (Lesson 12)

Lopha Tala (Lesson 13)

Bengali Ektal (Lesson 14)

Bengali Dadra (Lesson 14)

 

The tisra jati rhythms are not commonly heard in kirtans, although we will learn a very special cyclic set used in kirtans later on. They have a very important place in bhajans. The most well known bhajan that’s sung in the month of Kartik (Damodara) is the Damodarastakam (Namamisvaram Saccidananda Rupam). In Lessons 13 and 14, you will learn how to accompany this song.

 

KARTAL ACCOMPANIMENT FOR TISRA JATI RHYTHMS:

 

For the most part, kartal accompaniment for these rhythmic cycles will be the following diagram. Notice that you only strike the kartal twice, as opposed to three times in the 4 beat cycle. This is why people refer to these songs as “two-beat” songs, while the more common cycles of four are referred to as “three-beat” songs. It’s actually supposed to be “two-strikes” and “three-strikes” respectively.

 

Look at the diagram below and count out 1-2-3 to get a feel of how the kartals are supposed to sound. Later on in this and the next two lessons, you will have kartals join you.

 

X
1	2	3
OPEN		CLOSED

 

✇ AUDIO CLIP: Kartals Playing Tisra Jati

 

Now, we will begin two common rhythmic cycles.

 

DADRA TALA

 

Just as kaherva is the most commonly used cycle in the catasra category, dadra tala is the most commonly used cycle in the tisra category. Like with kaherva, the definition of the theka of this tala is will vary based on tradition. The structure of the tala remains the same. It is a six matra cycle divided 3+3. The bols for the theka is as follows:

 

X			0
1	2	3	4	5	6
dhā	dhin	nā	dhā	ti	tā

 

You may substitute “nā” with “tā” in matra 3.

 

If you are playing this correctly, this will vaguely resemble a waltz-like rhythm. You will also notice that this is a symmetrical tala. All the dayan is really doing is “tā ti tā” over and over again. The only thing that differs is the baya.

 

✇ AUDIO CLIP 12 – 1: Dadra Tala

 

Let’s try playing this with kartals. If the kartals are played correctly, the overlap should look and sound like this.

 

X			0
1	2	3	4	5	6
dhā	dhin	nā	dhā	ti	tā
OPEN		CLOSED	OPEN		CLOSED

 

✇ AUDIO CLIP 12 – 2: Dadra Tala with Kartals

 

Unlike the previous lessons, musical practice/accompaniment will not be discussed here. Accompaniment for these talas will be discussed in the accompaniment lectures.

 

 

KHEMTA TALA

 

Another well-known six beat cycle used in folk music, especially in Gujarat, is known as “khemta tala.” This has the same tala structure like dadra tala. However, unlike dadra tala, the way the rhythm makes good use of half-matras in matras 2 and 5 of this cycle.

 

This cycle has a bol that we haven’t seen in a while in Matra 4. If you recall from Lesson 4, “kat” is a combination bol using “ka” and “ti” together.

 

X				0
1	2		3	4	5		6
dhin	tā	dhin	tā	kat	tā	kat	tā

 

✇AUDIO CLIP 12 – 3: Khemta Tala

 

Like dadra, the kartal scheme fits this cycle too.

 

X				0
1	2		3	4	5		6
dhin	tā	dhin	tā	kat	tā	kat	tā
OPEN			CLOSED	OPEN			CLOSED

 

✇AUDIO CLIP 12 – 4: Khemta Tala with Kartals

 

Practice these two talas and get the flow of how a tisra jati tala sounds like. There are three more rhythmic cycles ahead that will be based on the technique of these cycles.

 

 

UPDATED: September 15, 2010