Adi Tala
8 beats - chatusra Triputa, the workhorse of Carnatic music. Its cycle is laghu (4) + drutam (2) + drutam (2) - 8 beats in all, kept with claps, finger counts, and waves.
Chatusra Jathi Triputa Tala (Adi Tala)
8 beats · pattern | O O
Press playCompositions in Adi tala
Ninnukori
Mohanam · Adi tala · Traditional. The classic first varnam, in pentatonic Mohanam - nearly every student’s entry into real repertoire.
Explore the song →Evvari Bodhana
Abhogi · Adi tala · Traditional. A gentle Abhogi varnam that settles the voice into janya raga singing.
Explore the song →Endaro Mahanubhavulu
Sree · Adi tala · Tyagaraja. The fifth Pancharatna: a salute to all great souls, sung in chorus at every Tyagaraja aradhana.
Explore the song →Jagadananda Karaka
Nattai · Adi tala · Tyagaraja. The first Pancharatna - a garland of names of Rama in blazing Nattai.
Explore the song →Dudukugala
Gowla · Adi tala · Tyagaraja. The confessional third Pancharatna, in crisp Gowla.
Explore the song →Dinamani Vamsha
Harikambhoji · Adi tala · Tyagaraja. Tyagaraja greets the scion of the solar dynasty in sweet Harikambhoji.
Explore the song →Vatapi Ganapathim
Hamsadhwani · Adi tala · Muthuswami Dikshitar. Dikshitar’s invocation to Ganesha in Hamsadhwani - very likely the most-performed concert opener in Carnatic music.
Explore the song →Sami Ninne
Sree · Adi tala · Traditional. A stately Sree varnam - often the student’s first step beyond Mohanam.
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