Theory of Thalas in Carnatic music
Thriputa Thalam 100
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Types of laghu :
______________________________________________________________________________________________
How to calculate the total aksharas for a thalam :
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Alankarams are very important in music, and we have to understand and practice I speed, II speed and III speed for all thalas.
Basicall we practice only 7 thalas. Click here to view the basic alankarams...
Parts of a thala :
Name Aksharas Symbol
(count)
Laghu varies 1
(A beat & counts)
Dhrutham 2 0
(A beat & a turn)
Anu Dhrutham 1 U
(Simply a beat)
Laghu - explained
Dhrutham & Anudhrutham
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Types of thala :
Name Formula
Dhruva Thalam 1011
Matya Thalam 101
Roopaka Thalam 01
Jampa Thalam 1U0
Thriputa Thalam 100
Ata Thalam 1100
Eka Thalam 1
7 Thalas in Carnatic
Name Aksharas
(counts)
Thisra Jathi laghu 3
Chatusra Jathi laghu 4
Kanda Jathi laghu 5
Misra Jathi laghu 7
Sankeerna Jathi laghu 9
Therefore the total number of thalas = 7 types of thalas X 5 jathis of laghu = 35 nos.
5 Types of Laghus
Therefore the total number of thalas = 7 types of thalas X 5 jathis of laghu = 35 nos.
Step 1 : Write the formula for the thala
Step 2 : Substitute the values for laghu/dhrutham/anu
dhrutham etc.,
Step 3: Add the values and arrive the total aksharas
Example 1:
Chatusra Jathi Dhruva Thalam :
Step 1 : 1011
Step 2 : 4+2+4+4
Step 3 : Total
= 14 aksharas
Example 2:
Misra Jathi Ata Thalam :
Step 1 : 1100
Step 2 : 7+7+2+2
Step 3 : Total = 18 aksharas
Basicall we practice only 7 thalas. Click here to view the basic alankarams...
