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Lesson 9: Eight Matra
Kirtan Thekas 2
Last
week, we looked into eight matra talas using kaherva. This week, we will look
into another type of eight matra talas. This is called Prabhupada tala. Literally, this means “tala of lotus feet of the
Lord.” As the name also implies, this tala is associated with Srila Prabhupada.
This is prakar of an older tala known as “Visva Vandita Tala.” Srila
Prabhupada’s father, Gour Mohan Dey, played this tala and taught Srila
Prabhuapda this. Per Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition, this tala has been used and
been quite frequently in slow to medium tempo kirtans.
The
theka is as follows:
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dha |
ti |
ra |
ki |
ti |
tā |
tā |
ti |
ra |
ki |
ti |
tā |
ka |
ti |
ra |
ki |
ti |
dhā |
dhin |
dhā |
dhin |
dhā |
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It
is divided 4+2+2. The talis are located on the sam and matra 7. The khali is
located on matra 5. Even though this is an eight matra cycle like kaherva tala,
this is more complex for several reasons.
- Unlike kaherva tala,
this tala has a slower layakari.
It can be said that it takes two full kaherva cycles to make up one whole
cycle of Prabhupada tala. Yet, they have the same number of matras.
- Each matra is either
composed of half matras or quarter matras. A half matra is half of the value of
one matra. Notice in matra 1, dha takes up a half matra. TiRa takes up the
second half of the first matra.
Since
Ti and Ra are two individual bols, you can divide the second half matra of
matra 1 to get quarter matras. A
quarter matra is a half of a half matra OR a quarter of a full matra.
Let’s
break Prabhupada Tala down: H = Half Q=quarter
MATRA
1: H QQ
MATRA
2: QQ H
MATRA
3: H QQ
MATRA
4: QQ H
MATRA
5: H QQ
MATRA
6: QQH
MATRA
7: H H
MATRA
8: H H
In
playing this tala, it is highly recommended to use the vibhag method to study
this rhythmic cycle. Listen to the clip below to understand how the vibhags
work for Prabhupada tala.
AUDIO CLIP: Lesson 9 Vibhag
Breakdown of Prabhupada tala
Part 1: dhā trkt tā
Part 2: tā trkt tā
Part 3: ka trkt dhā
Part 4: dhin dhā dhin dhā
After
mastering all four portions, fuse them together and result in a full cycle.
Once
you are able to pick up the cycle, continuously practice Prabhupada tala in a
chain. Practice along with this audio clip which is just a continuous loop of
Prabhupada tala.
AUDIO CLIP: Lesson 9 Prabhupada
Tala Practice