Elements of "Tall". Part 1

Music is a performing art which is perceived during the process of creation

as against Visual arts like Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, which

are perceived after the process of creation is completed. Music is

determined by the movement of audible forms that give the illusion of virtual time.

Just as Visual arts need a measure of space, Performing arts need a measure of

time. In Hindustani music, a composition is set to a particular ‘Tala’ or beat with

definite intervals. Through the medium of ‘Tala’, an appearance of motion is

achieved with the passage of one interval and onset of another. The duration

between these intervals gives us the measure of time. This is virtual time that is

created within the musical composition.

OBJECTIVE

Through this lesson, the learner would be able to :

- explain the concept and meaning of Tala ;

- define Tala ;

- differenciate between the ancient and present day of Tala ;

- describe the given elements of Tala ;

- state the Bols of the prescribed Talas.

CONCEPT AND MEANING OF TALA

In a musical composition, Tala indicates the passage of musical time. During this

process, an appearance of motion is achieved that gives music the nature of a

living form. In Hindustani music, Tala has been considered as the foundation upon

which music is established. The composition and elaboration of a Raga is rendered

within the fixed cycle of the Tala. Even though the cycle of the Tala is fixed, the

Raga appears to flower within that cycle and reaching the Sam of the Tala in

different ways after the completion of each cycle becomes an end in itself.

DEFINITION

The word ‘Tala’ finds its derivation from the Sanskrit root ‘tal’, meaning the base

or pivot upon which a thing rests. In Sangeet Ratnakar, defining ’Tala’ Pt.

Sharngadev says, ‘Tala’ has been derived from the Sanskrit root ‘tal’, which is

the base upon which an object is fixed. In the same way, ‘Tala’ is the base upon

which vocal, instrumental music and dance are established.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 

1. As a performing art, in what way is music perceived?

2. How are visual arts perceived?

3. As against a measure of space in the case of visual arts, what do Performing

arts need?

4. What is the base upon which vocal, instrumental music and dance are

established?