About the Included Tals

The following list of tals was given by Chhotelal Misra in his book Tal Prabandh. These are some of the most well-known tals and thekas in North India.

In addition to the 6 most popular tals in the Hindustani tradition (tintal, rupak, jhaptal, ektal, dadra, and kaharawa), other common tals include arachartal, jhumra, dipchandi, dhamar, pancham sawari, and sitarkhani (or panjabi).

Some of the tals below are more commonly played on the pakhawaj in the drupad tradition, some are played on both pakhawaj and tabla, and others are played mostly on the tabla. I was not taught many of these tals, and so my knowledge is limited. I’ll add more information with time.

Note that there are many tals which are not included here. Also, in some traditions, certain tals may have different thekas or structures.

(For an explanation of the vibhag indicators below (X, 0, 2, 3, etc.), see the Notation Guide.)

Dādrā – दादरा

A light classical tal, covered in depth here.

• Beats: 6
• Divisions: 2 (stressed = 1, unstressed = 1)
• Structure: 3–3 (X-0)

Dadra Theka

Benares Dadra Theka

Rupak – रूपक

A popular tal used in both classical and light classical genres, covered in depth here.

• Beats: 7
• Divisions: 3 (stressed = 2, unstressed = 1)
• Structure: 3–2–2 (0–1–2 or X–2–3)

Rupak Theka

Rupak 2

This version of rupak has a structure of X-2–3 instead of 0–1–2. The theka is the same:

Benares Rupak Theka

This is an old Benares theka and is no longer common.

Pashto – पश्तो

• Beats: 7
• Divisions: 3 (all stressed)
• Structure: 3–2–2 (X-2–3)

Pashto Theka

Kaharawā – कहरवा

The most common light-classical/folk tal of India, covered in depth here.

• Beats: 8
• Divisions: 2 (stressed = 1, unstressed = 1)
• Structure: 4–4 (X-0)

Kaharawa Theka

Dhumālī – धुमाली

Used in light-classical and devotional music.

• Beats: 8
• Divisions: 2
• Structure: 4–4 (X-0)

Dhumali Theka

Dhumali 2

This second version of dhumali is divided into 4 divisions instead of two. It has the same theka.

• Beats: 8
• Divisions: 4
• Structure: 2–2–2–2 (X-2–0–3)

Dhumali 2 Theka

Basant – बसंत

• Beats: 9
• Divisions: 9 (stressed = 6, unstressed = 3)
• Structure: 1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1 (X-2–3–4–0–5–0–6–0)

Basant Theka

Jhap Sawārī – झप सवारी

This is newer tal, according to Chhotelal Misra.

• Beats: 9
• Divisions: 4 (stressed = 3, unstressed = 1)
• Structure: 2–3–2–2 (X-2–0–3)

Jhap Sawari Theka

Jhaptāl – झपताल

A popular classical tal, covered in depth here.

• Beats: 10
• Divisions: 4 (stressed = 3, unstressed = 1)
• Structure: 2–3–2–3 (X-2–0–3)

Jhaptal Theka

Sūltāl – सूलताल

Also known as sūlphāk (सूलफाक) or sūlphākhtā (सूलफाख्ता), this tal comes from dhrupad/pakhawaj but is also played on tabla.

• Beats: 10
• Divisions: 5 (stressed = 3, unstressed = 2)
• Structure: 2–2–2–2–2 (X-0–2–3–0)

Sultal Theka 1

Sultal Theka 2

Sultal Theka 3

Rudra – रूद्र

From pakhawaj but also played on tabla.

• Beats: 11
• Divisions: 11 (stressed = 8, unstressed = 3)
• Structure: 1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1 (X-0–2–3–4–0–5–6–7–8–0)

Rudra Theka

Benares Rudra Theka

Kumbha – कुम्भ

Primarily played on pakhawaj.

• Beats: 11
• Divisions: 11 (stressed = 8, unstressed = 3)
• Structure: 1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1 (X-0–2–3–4–0–5–6–7–8–0)

Kumbha Theka 1

Kumbha Theka 2

Benares Kumbha Theka

Ashṭamangal – अष्टमंगल 1

Coming from the pakhawaj tradition, but played also on the tabla. There is also a 22-beat version of ashtamangal below.

• Beats: 11
• Divisions: 11 (stressed = 8, unstressed = 3)
• Structure: 1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1 (X-0–2–3–0–4–5–0–6–7–8)

Ashtamangal 1 Theka

Ektāl – एकताल

A popular classical tal, also heard in light-classical genres. Covered in depth here.

• Beats: 12
• Divisions: 6 (stressed = 4, unstressed = 2)
• Structure: 2–2–2–2–2–2 (X-0–2–0–3–4)

Ektal Theka

Chautāl – चैताल

Also known as chārtāl (चारताल), this is one of the most common dhrupad/pakhawaj tals. Note that this tal has the same structure as the preceding ektal, though they have very different thekas.

• Beats: 12
• Divisions: 6 (stressed = 4, unstressed = 2)
• Structure: 2–2–2–2–2–2 (X-0–2–0–3–4)

Chautal Theka

Khemṭā – खेमटा

Used in light classical genres, some call this a "fast version" or "double-speed version" of dadra tal.

• Beats: 12
• Divisions: 4
• Structure: 3–3–3–3 (X-2–0–3)

Khemta Theka

Līlāwatī – लीलावती

• Beats: 13
• Divisions: 4 (all stressed)
• Structure: 4–4–3–2 (X-2–3–4)

Lilawati Theka

Āṛāchārtāl – आड़ाचारताल

Also known as āṛāchautāl (आड़ाचैताल), this tal is covered in depth here.

• Beats: 14
• Divisions: 7 (stressed = 4, unstressed = 3)
• Structure: 2–2–2–2–2–2–2 (X-2–0–3–0–4–0)

Arachartal Theka

Benares Arachartal Theka

Jhūmrā – झूमरा

• Beats: 14
• Divisions: 4 (stressed = 3, unstressed = 1)
• Structure: 3–4–3–4 (X-2–0–3)

Jhumra Theka

Benares Jhumra Theka

Brahā – ब्रह्म 1

(there is also a 28-beat version of braha tal below)

• Beats: 14
• Divisions: 14 (stressed = 10, unstressed = 4)
• Structure: 1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1 (X-0–2–3–0–0–4–5–6–0–7–8–9–10–0)

Braha 1 Theka

Benares Braha 1 Theka

Pharodasta – फरोदस्त

• Beats: 14
• Divisions: 7 (stressed = 5, unstressed = 2)
• Structure: 2–2–2–2–2–2–2 (X-0–2–0–3–4–5)

Pharodasta Theka

Dīpchandī – दीपचंदी

This tal is most common in light-classical, folk, and Bollywood film music.

• Beats: 14
• Divisions: 4 (stressed = 3, unstressed = 1)
• Structure: 3–4–3–4 (X-2–0–3)

Dipchandi Theka

Dhamār – धमार

Played on both pakhawaj and tabla.

• Beats: 14
• Divisions: 4 (stressed = 3, unstressed = 1)
• Structure: 5–2–3–4 (X-2–0–3)

Dhamar Theka 1

Dhamar Theka 2

Pancham Sawārī – पंचम सवारी

Played on both pakhawaj and tabla.

• Beats: 15
• Divisions: 4 (stressed = 3, unstressed = 1)
• Structure: 3–4–4–4 (X-2–0–3)

Pancham Sawari Theka

Benares Pancham Sawari Theka

Gajajhampā – गजझम्पा

Played mostly on pakhawaj.

• Beats: 15
• Divisions: 4 (stressed = 3, unstressed = 1)
• Structure: 4–4–3–4 (X-2–0–3)

Gajajhampa Theka

Chhoṭī Sawārī – छोटी सवारी

Played mostly on pakhawaj.

• Beats: 15
• Divisions: 4 (all stressed)
• Structure: 4–4–4–3 (X-2–3–4)

Chhoti Sawari Theka

Tintāl – तीनताल

This is by far the most popular tal for tabla, covered in-depth here.

• Beats: 16
• Divisions: 4 (stressed = 3, unstressed = 1)
• Structure: 4–4–4–4 (X-2–0–3)

Tintal Theka

Tilwāṛā – तिलवाड़ा

• Beats: 16
• Divisions: 4 (stressed = 3, unstressed = 1)
• Structure: 4–4–4–4 (X-2–0–3)

Tilwara Theka

Benares Tilwara Theka

Baṛī Sawārī – बड़ी सवारी

• Beats: 16
• Divisions: 8 (stressed = 5, unstressed = 3)
• Structure: 2–2–2–2–2–2–2–2 (X-0–2–0–3–4–5–0)

Bari Sawari Theka

Bari Sawari 2

• Beats: 16
• Divisions: 5 (all stressed)
• Structure: 4–4–4–2–2 (X-2–3–4–5)

Bari Sawari 2 Theka

Jat – जत

• Beats: 16
• Divisions: 4 (stressed = 3, unstressed = 1)
• Structure: 4–4–4–4 (X-2–0–3)

Jat Theka

Ikwāī – इकवाई

• Beats: 16
• Divisions: 4 (stressed = 3, unstressed = 1)
• Structure: 4–4–4–4 (X-2–0–3)

Ikwai Theka

Sitārkhānī – सितारखानी

A popular tal used in classical, light-classical, folk, and film music genres.

Some say this tal is the same as panjabi. Others, such as Chhotelal Misra, say the two are separate tals with similar, but different, thekas. Some also call sitarkhani addhā (अद्धा), while for others addha has a different theka.

• Beats: 16
• Divisions: 4 (stressed = 3, unstressed = 1)
• Structure: 4–4–4–4 (X-2–0–3)

Sitarkhani Theka

Ṭappā – टप्पा

• Beats: 16
• Divisions: 4 (stressed = 3, unstressed = 1)
• Structure: 4–4–4–4 (X-2–0–3)

Tappa Theka 1

Tappa Theka 2

Benares Tappa Theka

Panjābī – पंजाबी

See sitarkhani above.

• Beats: 16
• Divisions: 4 (stressed = 3, unstressed = 1)
• Structure: 4–4–4–4 (X-2–0–3)

Panjabi Theka

Shikhar – शिखर

• Beats: 17
• Divisions: 5 (all stressed)
• Structure: 4–4–3–2–4 (X-2–3–4–5)

Shikhar Theka

Viṣhnu – विष्णु

Played on both pakhawaj and tabla.

• Beats: 17
• Divisions: 6 (all stressed)
• Structure: 4–2–4–2–2–3 (X-2–3–4–5–6)

Vishnu Theka

Vishnu 2

• Beats: 17
• Divisions: 6 (all stressed)
• Structure: 2–4–4–2–2–3 (X-2–3–4–5–6)

Vishnu 2 Theka

Vishnu 3

• Beats: 17
• Divisions: 5 (stressed = 4, unstressed = 1)
• Structure: 2–3–4–4–4 (X-2–3–4–0)

Vishnu 3 Theka

Vishnu 4

• Beats: 17
• Divisions: 8 (stressed = 6, unstressed = 2)
• Structure: 2–2–2–2–2–2–2–3 (X-0–2–0–3–4–5–6)

Vishnu 4 Theka

Chūṛāmaṇi – चूड़ामणि

• Beats: 17
• Divisions: 5 (all stressed)
• Structure: 3–2–4–4–4 (X-2–3–4–5)

Churamani Theka

Mayūr – मयूर

• Beats: 17
• Divisions: 4 (all stressed)
• Structure: 2–4–6–5 (X-2–3–4)

Mayur Theka

Matta – मत्त

Common on both pakhawaj and tabla, there are many versions of this tal/theka not included here. Played also as a 9-beat cycle.

• Beats: 18
• Divisions: 9 (stressed = 6, unstressed = 3)
• Structure: 2–2–2–2–2–2–2–2–2 (X-0–2–3–0–4–5–6–0)

Matta Theka 1

Matta Theka 2

Matta Theka 3

Lakṣhmī – लक्ष्मी

Played on both pakhawaj and tabla.

• Beats: 18
• Divisions: 18 (stressed = 15, unstressed = 3)
• Structure: 1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1–1 (X-2–3–0–4–5–6–0–7–8–9–10–11–12–13–14–15–0)

Lakshmi Theka

Benares Lakshmi Theka

Ganesh – गणेष

• Beats: 18
• Divisions: 5 (all stressed)
• Structure: 4–4–4–2–4 (X-2–3–4–5)

Ganesh Theka

Sheṣh – शेष

Primarily played on pakhawaj.

• Beats: 19
• Divisions: 7 (all stressed)
• Structure: 4–4–2–2–4–1–2 (X-2–3–4–5–6–7)

Shesh Theka

Ashṭamangal – अष्टमंगल 2

Played on both pakhawaj and tabla. There is also an 11-beat version of ashtamangal above.

• Beats: 22
• Divisions: 11 (stressed = 8, unstressed = 3)
• Structure: 2–2–2–2–2–2–2–2–2–2–2 (X-0–2–3–0–4–5–0–6–7–8)

Ashtamangal 2 Theka

Brahā – ब्रह्म 2

Played on both pakhawaj and tabla. There is also a 14-beat version of braha tal above.

• Beats: 28
• Divisions: 14 (stressed = 10, unstressed = 4)
• Structure: 2–2–2–2–2–2–2–2–2–2–2–2–2–2 (X-0–2–3–0–4–5–6–0–7–8–9–10–0)

Braha 2 Theka

Benares Braha 2 Theka

References