Technical Definitions

Question 1

Taal

Answer 1

Measurement calculating the number of beats utilised in a certain amount of time.

Question 2

Aavartan

Answer 2

One cycle of any taal.

Question 3

Laya

Answer 3

Rhythm, tempo or pulse. Determined by the duration of time between two beats.

Three types:

• Vilambit: Slow
• Madhya: Moderate
• Drut: Fast

Question 4

Taali

Answer 4

Taali means clap. It is the beat where you clap.

Question 5

Khaali

Answer 5

Khaali means empty. It the rest point of the taal. The tabla player hardly ever plays the tabla on this beat. It is shown by the wave of a hand

Question 6

Matra

Answer 6

Matra means the set of beats in a Vibhag

Question 7

Vibhag

Answer 7

Subdivisions of a taal. Denoted by a small vertical line. Each Vibhag has a certain number of matras.

Question 8

Sam

Answer 8

The first beat of all Taals. The dancer must return to the sam after an avartan. this is an accented beat and is denoted by an x

Question 9

Theka

Answer 9

Thekas are the syllables of a taal played on the tabla. Eg:- Dha, Dhin Dhin, Dha

Question 10

Lehra

Answer 10

The melody played on an instrument representing a taal cycle as an accompaniment. Can be played in different Raags.

Question 11

Tatkar

Answer 11

Basic footwork of any Kathak for a taal. It is considered to have been derived from Natwari Bols

Question 12

Tihai

Answer 12

Tihai is an intricate footwork composition that is repeated thrice and which ends on the Sam.

Question 13

Tukra

Answer 13

Tukra means piece. Tukras are small compositions are usually spread over a single aavartan. Generally has less matras.

Question 14

Todas

Answer 14

Similar to tukras, but more elaborate compositions.

Question 15

Thaat

Answer 15

Means decoration/graceful attitude. Dancer uses gentle movements of eyes, waist, wrists etc. while performing. Minimum accompaniment from tabla.

Question 16

Uthaan

Answer 16

Performed after thaat. Can start on any beat but ends on Sam. Means ‘uthke aana’

Question 17

Aamad

Answer 17

Means entrance. Previously used to mark a dancer’s entrance on stage but now performed after thaat and uthan. Composed of patterns of Natwari bols. First introduction of bols into the performance.

Question 18

Paran

Answer 18

Composition comprising of pakhawaj bols instead of dance or tabla only. Eg:- Dhum Kita, Dhage Ti Ta

Question 19

Paran-aamad / Paran judi Aamad

Answer 19

When an aamad is joined after a paran

Question 20

Chakkardaar Paran (only definition, not types)

Answer 20

Paran compositions that have a repetitive pattern

Question 21

Chakkardaar Pharmaishi Paran

Answer 21

• First dha of first cycle’s tihai comes to the Sam
• Second dha of second cycle’s tihai comes to the sam
• Thirs dha of third cycle’s tihai comes to the sam

Question 22

Kamali Chakkardaar Paran

Answer 22

The tihai should include 3 dhas.

Question 23

Kavitta

Answer 23

Poem set on time cycle. Narrates mythological episodes like kaliya daman or Krishna Leela. Dancer expresses the meaning of Kavitta through gesture & movement

Question 24

Gat Nikas

Answer 24

Gat = walk

Shows abstract and beautiful scenes of everyday life with chakkar paltas in between. No bols. Only theka and lehra

Question 25

Gat Bhav

Answer 25

Dancer uses dramatic gat to portray mundane daily events. Dancer plays all the characters in the story and switches betw/ them using paltas.

Mix of Abhinaya (expressions), Nritta (Movement of body w/ rhythm) and Natya (Dance). No accompaniment of songs or words, only mime.

Question 26

Ladi

Answer 26

Sequence of bols repeating in different combinations. Footwork composition. Ends in a Tihai

Question 27

Tarana

Answer 27

Type of composition in Hindustani classical music and dance. Contains words based on Arabic phonemes. Invented by Aamir Khusro

Question 28

Bhajan

Answer 28

Means sharing. Bhajans are any songs with a religious/spiritual theme sung in a regional folk language. Based on Raags. Belongs to Bhakti Rasa and ideas stem from scriptures, legendary epics etc.

Genre examples: Nirguni, Gorakhnathi

Question 29

Thumri

Answer 29

Word is derived from thumkana or ‘walk with dancing steps to make anklet bells tinkle’. It is a common genre of Semi classical Indian Music. Lyrics in Awadhi, Hindi or Brij Bhasha

The form is associated with love poetry, dramatic gestures, dance etc. The text is devotional/romantic in nature and often revolves around a girl’s love for Krishna

Question 30

Paramelu

Answer 30

Para = Different and melu = Union

Composition with different sound syllables of different percussion instruments - manjira, nagada, Jhanja, Pakhawaj as well as Natwari bols.

Other syllables: Jhanak, Dhivang, Thudang

Question 31

Jaati

Answer 31

A particular group of a specific number of bols/words

Types:

• Tishra Jati: 3
• Chatushra: 4
• Khanda: 5
• Mishra: 7
• Sankeerna: 9

All betw/ 2 matras ^