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Application of Jati

 

However, when playing the actual talam, it is important to see how many matras there are per cycle. Ultimately, that is the real determinant on how the rhythm is played. To do this, we need to see every talam in reference to the five jatis. We will take one talam and show the five jatis through that one talam.

TALAM NAME

SYMBOL

TOTAL MATRAS

Tisra Jati Eka Talam

|3

3

Caturasra Jati Eka Talam

|4

4

Khanda Jati Eka Talam

|5

5

Misra Jati Eka Talam

|7

7

Sankirna Jati Eka Talam

|9

9

 

          From the original seven talams, only eka talam was examined. As eka talam had only one laghu, the duration of each jati of this talam was equal to the number of base multiples the jati has. However, this one was a very easy talam. Another talam with a more complex should be examined to illustrate the jati application.

TALAM NAME

SYMBOL

ADDING MATRAS

TOTAL MATRAS

Tisra Jati Jhampa Talam

|3 U O

3+1+2

6

Caturasra Jati Jhampa Talam

|4 U O

4+1+2

7

Khanda Jati Jhampa Talam

|5 U O

5+1+2

8

Misra Jati Jhampa Talam

|7 U O

7+1+2

10

Sankirna Jati Jhampa Talam

|9 U O

9+1+2

12

 

As illustrated, applying each of the five jatis to each of the seven talams can yield thirty-five combinations of talams. Note that only talam structures are examined. There are no real thekas in South Indian music. Unlike the North Indian music page where a KKSongs Talamala would be useful, a Carnatic Talam-Mala would not be that relevant, as each talam can be mathematically defined.

 

UPDATED: April 2, 2009