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Lesson 8: Eight Matra Kirtan Thekas 1

 

As we enter our world of rhythms, we will encompass one of the most popular, versatile, and admired talas of various genres of music. This is the tala bearing of eight matras. The reason why eight matras is considered to be one of the preferred rhythms is because counting in “fours” or “eights” are easy to clap and follow. Sixteen matra tintal might not go to well with the mass public, as tintal is primarily used in classical music. However, eight matra talas will continue to be popular as long as there is some iota of interest in music, whether its composing or listening.

 

Since eight matras talas are quite popular, we will spend three weeks of lessons in examining these cycles. There are many eight matra talas that exist, but we will focus on three particular kinds, namely the kaherva tala, Prabhupada tala, and the bhajani tala.

 

This lesson, will we look into the talas of Kaherva Tala in medium tempo.

 

THEKA:

 

Kaherva Tala is a tala of eight matras divided 4+4, with tali on sam and khali on matra 5. Alone, this information will not suffice in giving us the real essence of this tala. The theka is important. Remember from Lesson 6, when discussing a tala, the matra number, the tala structure, and the theka are very important in giving a tala its structure.

 

The theka or the standard is as follows:

 

X

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

dhā

ge

tin

ka

dhin

 

AUDIO CLIP: Lesson 8 Kaherva Theka Practice

 

Kaherva tala is a type of tala where hardly anyone will strictly play theka. Hence, it is quite important to learn some of the many prakars of kaherva tala.

 

Remember that a prakar is a variation of the theka.

 

PRAKAR 1:

 

X

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

dhā

ti

ti

dhin

dhin

dhā

 

Prakar 1 has shadows of tintal. Notice the dayan activity is just like tintal. “tā ti ti tā.” Notice the capitalized T in Tā on matra 4. It is indicating emphasis on tā. (ka + tā = Tā)

 

AUDIO CLIP: Lesson 8 Kaherva Prakar 1 Practice

 

PRAKAR 2:

 

X

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

gha

 

ti

 

ga

dhin

 

Amongst all of the thekas, this one stands out as being the most “powerful” sound one.

 

Here, we introduce the pause. A pause is a matra where there is no activity on the khol. It is shown by a space or the letter “S.” When reading this tala out, say the word “pause” in the blanks. It will be easier keeping time in this way.  The pausing and emphasis is unusual for the flow of kaherva.

 

AUDIO CLIP: Lesson 8 Kaherva Prakar 2 Practice

 

PRAKAR 3:

 

X

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

dhā

ti

ra

ki

ti

ge

dhin

 

The most refined version of tala kaherva.

 

Practice these talas daily! Have a friend accompany you on kartals! Accompany many small kirtans where you are the sole mridanga player. These talas above are used in kirtan in various degrees!

 

AUDIO CLIP: Lesson 8 Kaherva Prakar 3 Practice

 

AUDIO CLIP: Lesson 8 Summary

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