Cycles Reference

Complete reference for talas and rhythmic cycles

Cycles (talas) are rhythmic patterns that repeat throughout a composition. In Carnatic music, a cycle consists of multiple bars (angas), each with a specific number of beats.

Understanding Cycles

A cycle is defined using the \cycle command with a pattern of beats per bar:

\cycle("|beats1|beats2|beats3|")

For example, Adi tala is "|4|2|2|" meaning 4 beats in the first bar, 2 in the second, and 2 in the third, totaling 8 beats per cycle.

Common Talas

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

The most common tala in Carnatic music:

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

Adi tala has three angas:

  • First anga: 4 beats (laghu with 4 counts)
  • Second anga: 2 beats (dhrutam)
  • Third anga: 2 beats (dhrutam)

Rupaka Tala (2+4 = 6 beats)

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

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

\cycle("|3|2|2|") \beatDuration(4) S R G M P D N S. R. S. N D P M G R S .N .D

Khanda Chapu (2+3 = 5 beats)

\cycle("|2|3|") \beatDuration(4) S R G M P D N S. R. S.

Tala Structure

Talas are built from three basic angas (units):

  • Laghu - Variable beats (indicated by hand clap + finger counts)
  • Dhrutam - 2 beats (clap + wave)
  • Anudhrutam - 1 beat (clap only)

Gati (Subdivision)

Each beat can be subdivided into different gatisusing \beatDuration:

  • Chatusra (4 units per beat) - Most common, use \beatDuration(4)
  • Tisra (3 units per beat) - Triplet feel, use \beatDuration(3)
  • Khanda (5 units per beat) - Use \beatDuration(5)
  • Misra (7 units per beat) - Use \beatDuration(7)
  • Sankeerna (9 units per beat) - Use \beatDuration(9)
\cycle("|4|2|2|") \beatDuration(4) \line("Chatusra - 4 per beat") S R G M P D N S. \beatDuration(3) \line("Tisra - 3 per beat") S R G M P D N S.

Kalai (Speed)

Kalai refers to the repetition factor of the cycle. While not directly represented in the DSL, you can think of different beat durations as representing different kalais:

  • First kalai - \beatDuration(1) or \beatDuration(2)
  • Second kalai - \beatDuration(4)
  • Third kalai - \beatDuration(8)

Sapta Talas (Seven Primary Talas)

Tala Structure Cycle Pattern (Chatusra) Beats
Dhruva| O || O ||"|4|2|4|4|"14
Matya| O |"|4|2|4|"10
RupakaO |"|2|4|"6
Jhampa| U O"|7|1|2|"10
Triputa (Adi)| O O"|4|2|2|"8
Ata| | O O"|5|5|2|2|"14
Eka|"|4|"4

Note: | = Laghu, O = Dhrutam, U = Anudhrutam. The beats shown assume Chatusra laghu (4 beats).

Hand Gestures (Kriyas)

Each bar in a cycle corresponds to a hand gesture used by performers:

  • Laghu - Clap followed by finger counts
  • Dhrutam - Clap followed by wave
  • Anudhrutam - Single clap

This is why the distinction between "|4|" (one 4-beat bar) and "|2|2|" (two 2-beat bars) matters - they result in different hand gestures and rhythmic feels.

See Also