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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