Tala

Sanskrit

The rhythmic cycle a piece is set in.

RhythmBharatanatyamKuchipudiOdissiKathak

Meaning

Tala is the metrical cycle that governs a composition — a fixed number of beats, grouped in a fixed way, repeating throughout. It is kept visibly by hand in Carnatic practice, with claps, finger counts and waves. Everything a dancer does is measured against it, and landing exactly on the first beat of the cycle is the constant discipline.

Also written: thalam, taal, talam

Related words

JathiA passage of pure rhythmic dance.Adi TalaThe eight-beat cycle, the most common in the repertoire.SamThe first beat of the rhythmic cycle.LayaTempo — the speed at which the cycle moves.TihaiA phrase repeated three times to land on the first beat.KorvaiA rhythmic composition, usually stated three times.

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