Modern Taal & its classification

The concept of Taal Shastra is more ancient and developed part of Indian classical music. The concept of Taal was developed even in the Vedic ages. During the recital of Samaveda, various actions of the hand were used to keep the time and Laya. During the Ramayan-Mahabharat kaal, there were people who would perform the hand kriyas and sing the syllables of Taal. This is followed even today in Indian music. Just as there are many ragas, there are many taals in history which have come and gone. Music is defined as the beautiful combination of Swar, Pad and Taal. And the most important aspect is Taal. Taal is the basis for Geet, Vadhya and Nritya. 

Hence any musician – gayak or vaadak must first know about Taal. Hence, Taal is sometimes considered more important than raag. Bharat has first given an expansive writing on Taal in Natya Shastra in the 31st chapter. Kaal-praman was particularly important in Taal. 

Yastu Talam Na Jaanaati Na Saa Gaathaa Na Vaadakah |

Tasmaat Sarvaprayatnena Karya Taalaavadhaaranam || 

Natya Shastra

Taal stalaprathishtayamithi dhatorganchi smruthaha |

Geetam vadhyam tatha nrityam yatastaale prathishtitam ||

Sangeeta Ratnakara

Geet, Vadhya and Nritya gain standing and importance only due to Taal. Taal gives the framework and arrangement for the sangeet to manifest. Without Taal there can be no Sangeet. Taal helps to bring the beauty of the geet. Rasa in geet cannot be brought out without the help of Taal. Indian music has had innumerable no of taals from the ancient period. Many have become extinct over time. Taal is so important that it is specific to the geet which is sung. Indian music has many taals of similar beats but are used in different forms or styles of geet.

Taal developed from the concept of Chhand in literature and poetry and is very mathematical. Chhands used various matras and hence taal of various matras got developed.

Indian taals use both simple and complex chhands and various layakaris are performed to add further beauty. 

Narahari Chakravarti in his bhakti-ratnakar has said, just as there cannot be a boat without the boatman, sangeet cannot exist without Taal.

For the execution of Taal, Indian music employs a huge list of instruments such as Tabla, Pakhawaj, mridang, dol, jhaanj, majira, kartaal.

The development of the Term Tala

After Bharat, Kohal had written the book Taal-lakshan. 

Taakarah Shankarah Prokto Lakaarah Shaktirucyate

ShivaShakti Samaayogaa Taal Naamabhidheeyate

Many of the medival grantas have said the root of the Word comes from Ta and La syllables which denote shiva and sakthi. Taal was said to be shivashaktyatmak.

In another text it is said that the syllable Ta from Tandava Nritya and La from Lasya nritya is combined to make Tala. Sangeet Darpan says – Taakaar is from Shankar and Laakaar is from Shakti 

The origins of Taal are said to have come from the sounds of the Damaru of Lord Shiva. The Dhim-dhim of the damaru gave rise to Taal and measure of time. 

Definition of Taal

Abhinavagupta has said – Atra Kriya cha Taalah Kaalo Va. The Taal served to depict a rhythm in the space of time. To keep time in a taal, various hand movements were used. The actions of hand produce Taal and kaal. Kriya was of two types – shashabdh and nishabdh. 

Taal has two functions – To strike and to show the differences. shashabdh kriyas were prominent strikes of the hand and nishabdh kriya were the silent actions of the hand. These kriyas were used for denoting the matras. In music, time is measured with the help of Matras. Matras are grouped into various numbers and patterns to give rise to Taal. Later on, Bols were associated with each matra and this depended on the instrument. Bols were the sounds which are produced from striking the instrument. 

Hence, that which determines the time measure in geet, vadya and nritya and has the ten (Pranas) elements of kaal, marga, kriya etc is called Taal. 

According to Dr. Arunkumar sen - Taal is defined as that which binds Sangeet to time. Taal provides aesthetics to music and which disciplines the music and enlightens the listeners with its structured form. The movement of time in an orderly fashion is Taal. It is due to Taal, that the ancient and present-day forms of music is well preserved for the future. 

According to Pradeep sen gupta – A Taal is series of sounds produced on a percussion instrument with the help of striking by the palm and fingers.