hindustani · 8 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
Keharwa
Also known as Kaharva, Kaherava, Keherva, Keharva
Keharwa has eight 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 two groups of four. Clap on the first 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 and wave on the fifth, then repeat the cycle; the NIOS practical book uses Ke 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 6.
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 | Matra 3 | Matra 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dha | Ge | Na | Ti |
| Matra 5 | Matra 6 | Matra 7 | Matra 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Na | Ke | Dhi | Na |
Chart: NIOS
- NIOS, printed p.38, Kaharwa description and Theka of Kaharwa 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
- 1Dha
- 2Ge
- 3Na
- 4Ti
0 · wave (khali)
- 5Na
- 6Ke
- 7Dhi
- 8Na
Cycle structure
- Notation
- 4 + 4; 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
- Not stated in the sources we cite yet
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
- 4 + 4
Source: NIOS
- NIOS, printed p.38, Kaharwa description and Theka of Kaharwa 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
Source: NIOS
- NIOS, printed p.38, Kaharwa description and Theka of Kaharwa 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
- 5
Source: NIOS
- NIOS, printed p.38, Kaharwa description and Theka of Kaharwa 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
- Dha Ge Na Ti | Na Ke Dhi Na
Source: NIOS
- NIOS, printed p.38, Kaharwa description and Theka of Kaharwa chart
Practise the base cycle before attempting dugun, tigun or chaugun subdivisions.
Usage and variants
Cited uses: thumri and allied semi-classical forms; folk dhun (documented Kirwani programme).
Source: AUTRIM +1
- AUTRIM, Rhythm page, Tal section
- Raga Records, Side B, Kirwani programme item
- NIOS theory book chart. Prints Ka 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 6 where the NIOS practical book prints Ke. RagaPedia follows the practical book and shows both.Dha Ge Na Ti | Na Ka Dhi Na
Source: NIOS
- NIOS, printed p.25, §3.4 Kaharwa chart
- University of Washington eight-beat chart. An eight-beat chart with te 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 4, ka 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 6 and dhe 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 7.Dha ge na te | na ka dhe na
Source: Univ. of Washington
- Univ. of Washington, eight-beat chart after §5 Dadra
- University of Washington eight-beat variation. Uses dhe 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 4 instead of te.Dha ge na dhe | na ka dhe na
Source: Univ. of Washington
- Univ. of Washington, eight-beat chart, first variant
- Pracheen Kala Kendra syllabus. Dadra and Keharwa thekasThekaA 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 are practised after reshuffling (ulat-palat); no fixed chart is printed.
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.
- KirwaniRAGA-105: Vishwa Mohan Bhatt — New York, 1989 · Dhun · labelled keharwa
Source: Raga Records +1
- Raga Records, RAGA-105 programme listing, “Kirwani”
- Raga Records, RAGA-105 programme listing, heading
Archive recordings
Read the imported recording notes and view artwork in Ragapedia. Programme labels come from Raga Records and await independent musical review. Recovered audio is available in the listening collection. Complete CD audio remains pending.
RAGA-105 · Cassette
Vishwa Mohan Bhatt — New York, 1989
Vishwa Mohan Bhatt (guitar);Sukhvindar Singh (tabla)
Kirwani
Dhun