Raga and Tala (India Raga and Talan Music)

Raga and Tala

Review

According to Indian belief, how would an individual can come in contact with the divine universal force through music?

• What is Raga?

• It is linked to the sanskrit word “ranj” which means “to color”. • Raga is basically a melodic idea that follows certain traditional rules that define and determine the notes of a scale and the order by which it will be used. `

5 Components of Raga

Aaroh - the ascending order of Swar in any Raga with at least 5 Swars.

Avaroh - the descending order of the Swars, also with at least 5 Swars.

Pakad - the tune that highlights the Vadi and the Sandavi.

Bandish - the various combinatios sung or played after the Pakad.

Jhala - the fastest part of the Raga, marking the end of the performance.

Aaroh

Avaroh

• What is Tala?

- Tala

which means “palm”, is used to refer to the beat in Indian music.

Did you know that… In Indian music, human hands are the first instrument to define a beat or rhythm thru clapping.

BASIC COMPONENTS OF TALA

• Bhari - the pattern of clapping. clap, 2, 3, 4, clap, 2, 3, 4, wave, 2, 3, 4, clap, 2, 3, 4

Khali - the wave of the hands. (indicated by an “O”)

Vivhag - the measure.

Matra - the beat.

16 matra

Bol - the mnemonic system where each stroke of the drum has a syllable attached to it.

Theka - the pattern of bols and vibhag which defines the tala.

Sum - the beginning of every cycle.

Avartan

- the basic cycle.

Laya - the tempo. MODERATE tempo

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