Common Talas

Examples of commonly used talas in Carnatic music

This recipe demonstrates how to notate music in the most common Carnatic talas (rhythmic cycles).

Adi Tala (4+2+2 = 8 beats)

Adi tala is the most common tala, with 8 beats divided into three bars (4, 2, 2):

\cycle("|4|2|2|") \beatDuration(4) Sw: S R G M P D N S. R. S. N D P M G R S Sh: sa ri ga ma pa dha ni sa sa ni dha pa ma ga ri sa

The cycle repeats every 8 beats. Notice how the notation automatically wraps based on the tala structure.

Rupaka Tala (2+4 = 6 beats)

Rupaka tala has 6 beats divided into two bars (2, 4):

\cycle("|2|4|") \beatDuration(4) Sw: S R G M P D N S. R. S. N D Sh: sa ri ga ma pa dha ni sa sa ni dha pa

The shorter cycle creates a different feel compared to Adi tala.

Misra Chapu (3+2+2 = 7 beats)

Misra Chapu tala has 7 beats divided into three bars (3, 2, 2):

\cycle("|3|2|2|") \beatDuration(4) Sw: S R G M P D N S. R. S. N D P M G R S .N .D Sh: sa ri ga ma pa dha ni sa sa ni dha pa ma ga ri sa sa sa

The odd number of beats (7) creates an asymmetric feel.

Khanda Chapu (2+3 = 5 beats)

Khanda Chapu tala has 5 beats divided into two bars (2, 3):

\cycle("|2|3|") \beatDuration(4) Sw: S R G M P D N S. R. S. Sh: sa ri ga ma pa dha ni sa sa sa

Jhompa Tala (7+1+2 = 10 beats)

Jhompa tala has 10 beats divided into three bars (7, 1, 2):

\cycle("|7|1|2|") \beatDuration(4) Sw: S R G M P D N S. R. S. N D P M G R S .N .D S R G M P D N S. R. S.

Tisra Adi (3+3+3 = 9 beats)

When Adi tala is performed in tisram (triplet feel), each bar has 3 beats:

\cycle("|3|3|3|") \beatDuration(3) Sw: S R G M P D N S. R. Sh: sa ri ga ma pa dha ni sa sa

Tala Comparison

Tala Cycle Pattern Total Beats Common Usage
Adi"|4|2|2|"8Most common, varnams, kritis
Rupaka"|2|4|"6Devotional songs, light music
Misra Chapu"|3|2|2|"7Film songs, bhajans
Khanda Chapu"|2|3|"5Rhythmic variety, tillanas
Jhompa"|7|1|2|"10Rare, advanced compositions
Tisra Adi"|3|3|3|"9Tisram variations

Tips

  • Use \cycle at the beginning of your notation to set the tala
  • The cycle automatically repeats throughout the composition
  • Bar divisions are shown visually in the rendered notation
  • Different talas create different rhythmic feels
  • Experiment with beat duration values to find the right density

See Also