hindustani · 12 matrasMatraOne unit of time within a taal. Matras locate beats and rhythmic events inside the cycle; their duration depends on the tempo.Source: N3 §3.3.2, pp. 22–23.More in the glossary
Ektal
Also known as Ektaal, Ek Taal, Ek Tal
Ektaal has twelve matrasMatraOne unit of time within a taal. Matras locate beats and rhythmic events inside the cycle; their duration depends on the tempo.Source: N3 §3.3.2, pp. 22–23.More in the glossary in six groups of two. Clap at matrasMatraOne unit of time within a taal. Matras locate beats and rhythmic events inside the cycle; their duration depends on the tempo.Source: N3 §3.3.2, pp. 22–23.More in the glossary 1, 5, 9 and 11, and wave at matrasMatraOne unit of time within a taal. Matras locate beats and rhythmic events inside the cycle; their duration depends on the tempo.Source: N3 §3.3.2, pp. 22–23.More in the glossary 3 and 7; compound bol tokens such as DhaGe and TirKit each occupy one matraMatraOne unit of time within a taal. Matras locate beats and rhythmic events inside the cycle; their duration depends on the tempo.Source: N3 §3.3.2, pp. 22–23.More in the glossary in this chart.
Source: NIOS +1
ThekaThekaA basic pattern of percussion bols that helps identify a taal. The pattern supports accompaniment and can be elaborated.Source: N3 §§3.3.4–3.3.5, p. 23. and 1 moreMore in the glossary · bolsBolA spoken syllable, such as Dha or Dhin, used to remember and communicate percussion sounds. Sequences of these syllables help teach and recite rhythmic patterns.Source: N3 §§3.3.4–3.3.5, p. 23. and 1 moreMore in the glossary and notation
A matraMatraOne unit of time within a taal. Matras locate beats and rhythmic events inside the cycle; their duration depends on the tempo.Source: N3 §3.3.2, pp. 22–23.More in the glossary is one beat; a vibhagVibhagA smaller division of matras within a taal. Divisions make the cycle easier to follow and need not all contain the same number of units.Source: N3 §3.3.6, pp. 23–24. and 1 moreMore in the glossary is a group of beats. Read one matraMatraOne unit of time within a taal. Matras locate beats and rhythmic events inside the cycle; their duration depends on the tempo.Source: N3 §3.3.2, pp. 22–23.More in the glossary per column. Follow the vibhagsVibhagA smaller division of matras within a taal. Divisions make the cycle easier to follow and need not all contain the same number of units.Source: N3 §3.3.6, pp. 23–24. and 1 moreMore in the glossary in order, then return to samSamThe first matra of a taal cycle, a key point of rhythmic return. Sam can coincide with khali, as in Rupak, so it does not always mean a clap.Source: N3 §§3.3.7–3.3.9, p. 24. and 1 moreMore in the glossary at beat 1.
| Matra 1, sam | Matra 2 |
|---|---|
| Dhin | Dhin |
| Matra 3 | Matra 4 |
|---|---|
| DhaGe | Tirakita |
| Matra 5 | Matra 6 |
|---|---|
| Tu | Na |
| Matra 7 | Matra 8 |
|---|---|
| Kat | Ta |
| Matra 9 | Matra 10 |
|---|---|
| DhaGe | Tirakita |
| Matra 11 | Matra 12 |
|---|---|
| Dhi | Na |
Chart: NIOS
- NIOS, printed p.39, Ek Tala description and Theka of Ek Tala chart
X marks sam and 0 marks khaliKhaliA wave-marked position or division in a taal’s hand-counting pattern. Khali is shown with 0 in Bhatkhande notation; it does not require silence.Source: N3 §§3.3.7–3.3.9, p. 24. and 1 moreMore in the glossary, shown with a wave. Other marker numbers count the clapped divisions, not beats. In Rupak the NIOS chart writes X on sam, but the hand gesture there is a wave. A dash means no new stroke, not khaliKhaliA wave-marked position or division in a taal’s hand-counting pattern. Khali is shown with 0 in Bhatkhande notation; it does not require silence.Source: N3 §§3.3.7–3.3.9, p. 24. and 1 moreMore in the glossary. Grouped bols such as DhaGe or Tirakita stay within one matraMatraOne unit of time within a taal. Matras locate beats and rhythmic events inside the cycle; their duration depends on the tempo.Source: N3 §3.3.2, pp. 22–23.More in the glossary.
How to read this notation · DigiTablaCount along
A matraMatraOne unit of time within a taal. Matras locate beats and rhythmic events inside the cycle; their duration depends on the tempo.Source: N3 §3.3.2, pp. 22–23.More in the glossary is one beat in the cycle. LayaLayaThe pace of musical time. Vilambit, madhya and drut describe slow, medium and fast laya relative to the performance context, not fixed universal speeds.Source: N3 §3.3.3, p. 23 (tempo definition; fixed doubling contradicts the corrected relative categories). and 2 moreMore in the glossary is its speed, shown here as matrasMatraOne unit of time within a taal. Matras locate beats and rhythmic events inside the cycle; their duration depends on the tempo.Source: N3 §3.3.2, pp. 22–23.More in the glossary per minute. Press play to follow the claps, wave on khaliKhaliA wave-marked position or division in a taal’s hand-counting pattern. Khali is shown with 0 in Bhatkhande notation; it does not require silence.Source: N3 §§3.3.7–3.3.9, p. 24. and 1 moreMore in the glossary, and return to sam. The sounds are counting clicks.
Stopped
X · clap (taali) · sam
- 1Dhin
- 2Dhin
0 · wave (khali)
- 3DhaGe
- 4Tirakita
2 · clap (taali)
- 5Tu
- 6Na
0 · wave (khali)
- 7Kat
- 8Ta
3 · clap (taali)
- 9DhaGe
- 10Tirakita
4 · clap (taali)
- 11Dhi
- 12Na
Cycle structure
- Grouping
- 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2
Source: NIOS
- NIOS, printed p.39, Ek Tala description and Theka of Ek Tala chart
- Notation
- 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2; sam at matraMatraOne unit of time within a taal. Matras locate beats and rhythmic events inside the cycle; their duration depends on the tempo.Source: N3 §3.3.2, pp. 22–23.More in the glossary 1
- LayaLayaThe pace of musical time. Vilambit, madhya and drut describe slow, medium and fast laya relative to the performance context, not fixed universal speeds.Source: N3 §3.3.3, p. 23 (tempo definition; fixed doubling contradicts the corrected relative categories). and 2 moreMore in the glossary
- vilambit, madhya, drut
- Tempo labels on the cited performances, not a prescribed range.
- Curriculum
- Pracheen Kala Kendra first prescribes it at Bhushan Part-II (second year). Earlier syllabuses are combined with subsequent levels; seventh-year list also explicitly includes Ektaal and Deepchandi.
Hindustani structure
- VibhagVibhagA smaller division of matras within a taal. Divisions make the cycle easier to follow and need not all contain the same number of units.Source: N3 §3.3.6, pp. 23–24. and 1 moreMore in the glossary
- 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2
Source: NIOS
- NIOS, printed p.39, Ek Tala description and Theka of Ek Tala chart
- TaliTaaliA clap-marked position in a taal’s hand-counting pattern. Claps distinguish divisions from khali waves and help track the cycle.Source: N3 §§3.3.7–3.3.9, p. 24. and 1 moreMore in the glossary
- 1, 5, 9, 11
Source: NIOS
- NIOS, printed p.39, Ek Tala description and Theka of Ek Tala chart
- KhaliKhaliA wave-marked position or division in a taal’s hand-counting pattern. Khali is shown with 0 in Bhatkhande notation; it does not require silence.Source: N3 §§3.3.7–3.3.9, p. 24. and 1 moreMore in the glossary
- 3, 7
Source: NIOS
- NIOS, printed p.39, Ek Tala description and Theka of Ek Tala chart
- ThekaThekaA basic pattern of percussion bols that helps identify a taal. The pattern supports accompaniment and can be elaborated.Source: N3 §§3.3.4–3.3.5, p. 23. and 1 moreMore in the glossary
- Dhin Dhin | DhaGe Tirakita | Tu Na | Kat Ta | DhaGe Tirakita | Dhi Na
Source: NIOS
- NIOS, printed p.39, Ek Tala description and Theka of Ek Tala chart
Practise the base cycle before attempting dugun, tigun or chaugun subdivisions.
Usage and variants
Cited uses: khayal; bandishBandishA composed piece that anchors raag development. Its melody, words and rhythmic setting provide material for elaboration.Source: RR14 §5.2, PDF pp. 6–7, respective subheadings.More in the glossary ki thumri (named Pilu performance).
Source: NIOS +2
- NIOS theory book chart. Prints Dhin at matraMatraOne unit of time within a taal. Matras locate beats and rhythmic events inside the cycle; their duration depends on the tempo.Source: N3 §3.3.2, pp. 22–23.More in the glossary 11 where the NIOS practical book prints Dhi. RagaPedia follows the practical book and shows both.Dhin Dhin | Dhage tirkit | tu na | kat ta | Dhage tirkit | Dhin na
Source: NIOS
- NIOS, printed p.25, §3.4 EkTala chart
- University of Washington fast basic chart. Spells some bols tun and terekite. Its slow rendering is described as adding filler strokes.Dhin dhin | dhage terekite | tun na | kat ta | dhage terekite | dhin na
Source: Univ. of Washington +1
- Univ. of Washington, §1 Ektal, chart matras 1–6
- Univ. of Washington, §1 Ektal, chart matras 7–12
- Iktala, a named variant (University of Washington). Different bols, displayed in three groups of four. It does not replace the six-pair NIOS chart.Dhi dhin dha traka | tu na kat ta | dhi na dhi na
Source: Univ. of Washington
- Univ. of Washington, §1, Iktala chart following Ektal
Published charts differ in some bols and in how markers are numbered; the cited variants are listed. No musician has reviewed this taalTaalA recurring cycle of counted units that organises rhythm. The cycle gives a framework for compositions and rhythmic elaboration.Source: N3 §§3.1–3.3.1, pp. 21–22.More in the glossary yet.
Named examples
Recordings and performances that a cited source labels with this taalTaalA recurring cycle of counted units that organises rhythm. The cycle gives a framework for compositions and rhythmic elaboration.Source: N3 §§3.1–3.3.1, pp. 21–22.More in the glossary. A publisher's label applies to the named item only; no listening check is claimed.
- प्रभू रंग भीनाAjoy Chakrabarty · bada khayal · slow tempo · Raag Bhupali
- नैननमें अान बानPadma Talwalkar · chhota khayal · medium tempo · Raag Multani
- जावो जावो मोसे ना बोलो कान्हाAjoy Chakrabarty · bandishBandishA composed piece that anchors raag development. Its melody, words and rhythmic setting provide material for elaboration.Source: RR14 §5.2, PDF pp. 6–7, respective subheadings.More in the glossary ki thumri · fast tempo · Raag Pilu
Archive recordings
No archive recordings are linked to this profile yet. Browse all archive recordings.