Taal Shastra

What we do in our daily life has relevance to time. All our activities in the day are carried out in a simple unhurried rhythm or tempo, like speaking, walking, writing, typing. The heartbeat, breathing, blinking all happen in a uniform rhythm. 

Rhythm is inherent is all activities of life and universe and hence is inherent in music. Rhythm is a key foundation of literature and hence music. 

Sangeet is the combination of Gayan, Vadan and Nritya. All the three forms of musical expression has foundation in Time. 

In ancient India, rhythm was observed with the help of poetic meters of the Vedic chants. These meters were called Chhand. 

Rhythm when combined with Laya or the speed of movement in time gives rise to the concept of Taal. From Laya we get Matra and from Matra and Chhand, we get Taal. Melodies in music are notes which are sung consecutively in an orderly fashion with each note having a determined period of time to suit the poetry and give expression to the Raga’s melodic value. 

Similarly, in dance, the movement of an artiste are choreographed in time and are rhythmic in nature. Taal was extensively used in all forms of music dance and drama and held equal importance with Raga as both are instrumental in the development of Rasa and Bhaav. Taal serve as the fabric on which all forms of improvisations in music is possible. 

Just as there are many Ragas, there are many Taals in history which have come and gone.

In this page, we explore the key concepts in Taal which has a rich history and developed over the millennia to its current form and used in all forms of Music all over the world.