Yakshagana Tala
Encyclopedia
Yakshagana Tala is a rhythmical pattern in Yakshagana that is determined by a composition called Yakshagana Padya
. Tala also decides how a composition is enacted by dancers. It is similar to Tala in other forms of Indian music, but is structurally different from them. Each composition is set to one or more talas, and as a composition is rendered by Himmela, the percussion artist(s) play supporting the dance performance. Tala is maintained by the singer using a pair of finger bells
.
The instrument for rhythm in Yakshagana
are the Chande
, Maddale
and a Yakshagana Tala (bell) is also used along with chande.
Yakshagana has a complete and complex system for rhythms. The most common Talas in Yakshagana are Matte, Eaka,Udaape, Jampe, Rupaka, Trivde, Atta, KorE and Aadi. Each tala has a cycle of N beats divided in M bars. Some talas are more than 5 minutes long (e.g Abbara Tala). Note that although, the names of Talas are similar to Karnataka Sangeetha
only a few talas are similar and other rhythms are completely different. Each taal is identified by a typical set of syllables similar to bols in Tabla
. A set of syllables representing the basic rhythm of taala is called 'Badtige' or 'Tatkaara'. The variations of a particular taala are called 'Nade'(movemnet) which is similar to Kaida in Tabla
.
Yakshagana music vocalists (Bhagavathas) mark the tala by tapping a pair of bells
. Talas are identified by Ghaatha and are largely decided by the metre of the Yakshagana poetry Some Taalas have been demonstrated on chande
in the following external links.http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=sAllmsgkKFg,http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=rjnayCTXsP0&feature=channel,http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=gHzGjiepnB0&feature=channel
Scholars have disagreement on the names and beat structure of the above Talas. But the details provided here are generally acceptable.
talas. It is generally agreed that the rhythm patterns that form a basis for Karnataka Sangeetha
also forms a basis for yakshagana Talas. In fact it is believed that Yakshagana uses pre classical patterns guided by the metres of the Yakshagana Poetry
. A folk flavour added to these talas make them very popular among the followers.
.
.
.
.
Yakshagana poetry
Yakshagana poetry is a collection of Kannada poems used to enact a music dance drama called Yakshagana. The poems are composed in well known Kannada metres using the frame work of Yakshagana Raga and Yakshagana Tala. Yakshagana also has what is called a Yakshagana metre...
. Tala also decides how a composition is enacted by dancers. It is similar to Tala in other forms of Indian music, but is structurally different from them. Each composition is set to one or more talas, and as a composition is rendered by Himmela, the percussion artist(s) play supporting the dance performance. Tala is maintained by the singer using a pair of finger bells
Yakshagana bells
The Yakshagana bells or Yakshagana cymbal are a pair of finger bells made of a special alloy used in Yakshagana. They are used by the singer to keep the tempo and rhythm of Yakshagana performance. The tone of the bells usually fit the tonic of the singer or several octaves higher...
.
The instrument for rhythm in Yakshagana
Yakshagana
Yakshagana is a musical theater popular in the coastal and Malenadu regions of Karnataka, India. Yakshagana is the recent scholastic name for what are known as kēḷike, āṭa, bayalāṭa, bayalāṭa, daśāvatāra . It is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre during Bhakti movement...
are the Chande
Chande
The chande is a drum used in the traditional and classical music of South India and particularly in Karnataka. It provides rhythmic accompaniment in several dance dramas of South India such as Yakshagana. It follows the Yakshagana Tala system...
, Maddale
Maddale
The maddale is a percussion instrument from Karnataka, India. It is the primary rhythmic accompaniment in a Yakshagana ensemble along with Chande. Maddale used in Yakshagana looks similar to Mridangam but is markedly different in structure, acustics, playing techniques and the rhythm system ....
and a Yakshagana Tala (bell) is also used along with chande.
Yakshagana has a complete and complex system for rhythms. The most common Talas in Yakshagana are Matte, Eaka,Udaape, Jampe, Rupaka, Trivde, Atta, KorE and Aadi. Each tala has a cycle of N beats divided in M bars. Some talas are more than 5 minutes long (e.g Abbara Tala). Note that although, the names of Talas are similar to Karnataka Sangeetha
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
only a few talas are similar and other rhythms are completely different. Each taal is identified by a typical set of syllables similar to bols in Tabla
Tabla
The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
. A set of syllables representing the basic rhythm of taala is called 'Badtige' or 'Tatkaara'. The variations of a particular taala are called 'Nade'(movemnet) which is similar to Kaida in Tabla
Tabla
The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
.
Yakshagana music vocalists (Bhagavathas) mark the tala by tapping a pair of bells
Yakshagana bells
The Yakshagana bells or Yakshagana cymbal are a pair of finger bells made of a special alloy used in Yakshagana. They are used by the singer to keep the tempo and rhythm of Yakshagana performance. The tone of the bells usually fit the tonic of the singer or several octaves higher...
. Talas are identified by Ghaatha and are largely decided by the metre of the Yakshagana poetry Some Taalas have been demonstrated on chande
Chande
The chande is a drum used in the traditional and classical music of South India and particularly in Karnataka. It provides rhythmic accompaniment in several dance dramas of South India such as Yakshagana. It follows the Yakshagana Tala system...
in the following external links.http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=sAllmsgkKFg,http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=rjnayCTXsP0&feature=channel,http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=gHzGjiepnB0&feature=channel
Some Yakshagana Talas
- Matte Tala (Tvarita Rupaka): 3 beats
-
- ----3---|-------3------||----3---|-------3------||
- tai ta | di naam || tai ta | di naam ||
-
- Muktaya (Ending)
- Chaurastra Eka Tala: 4 beats
-
- ta ddi mi | ta ka di mi ||
-
- Muktaya (Ending)
- Udaape Tala: (Tvarita Eka)
-
- ta ki ta | ta ka di na | ta kki ta | ta ka di na ||
-
- Muktaya (Ending)
- Jampe Tala: 5 beats
-
- dhim kadthka dhim dhim kadthka |
-
- Muktaya (Ending)
- ta ta kadthka takada taddinnaka tai |
- ta ka ta di gina dhem |
-
- Tvarita (Fast)
- Nade (Variations)
- Chaurastra Rupaka Tala: 6 beats
-
- tai ta dinaka | dhem ta dinaka |
-
- Muktaya (Ending)
- Trivde Tala: 7 beats
-
- deem ta | taam di na | dheem ta | taam dina ||
- Asta Tala: 3+1/2 beats
-
- tai ti tti | tai ti tti ||
-
- Muktaya (Ending)
- KorE Tala: 3+1/2 beats
-
- ti tti tai | ti tti tai ||
-
- Muktaya (Ending)
- Aadi Tala: 16 beats
-
- ta hasta | dim da di ku ta ka | taa tom | ta di naka ||
-
- Muktaya (Ending)
- Chau Tala 8 beats
-
- deem ta tta ta tta | deem ta tta | deem ta tta ta tta ||
-
- Muktaya (Ending)
- Dhruva Tala: 14 beats (Cognate of Hindustani Rupak)
-
- tom dinna ta ri ki ta | tom di na | tom ta tta ||
- dhi dhi na | dhi na dhi na | ta di na ti na ti na ||
-
- Muktaya (Ending)
Scholars have disagreement on the names and beat structure of the above Talas. But the details provided here are generally acceptable.
History
The talas predate Karnataka SangeethaCarnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
talas. It is generally agreed that the rhythm patterns that form a basis for Karnataka Sangeetha
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
also forms a basis for yakshagana Talas. In fact it is believed that Yakshagana uses pre classical patterns guided by the metres of the Yakshagana Poetry
Yakshagana poetry
Yakshagana poetry is a collection of Kannada poems used to enact a music dance drama called Yakshagana. The poems are composed in well known Kannada metres using the frame work of Yakshagana Raga and Yakshagana Tala. Yakshagana also has what is called a Yakshagana metre...
. A folk flavour added to these talas make them very popular among the followers.
Literature
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