A question. In Alla Raka's book, I noticed that he doesn't play the theka in between Kaidas and Kaida and Rela is that a thing u can normally do? or is it just a printing mistake?
Often players don't play theka in a strict sense, because they start to lead the bolls and their playing towards a new kaida/rela theme (there are differences between artists). The solo in Alla Rakha is not complete in that sense that the thing that he would usually play in concert situation as theka between kaidas and relas are not presented. He would play theka similar to the one that he plays in that video when plays the tukra second time. More simpler theka is usually played between fixed compositions (differences between artists).
I hope you got something out of it Rod?
Jake
I understand what u say Jake. I don't think that playing compositions with variiations and a tihai without theka would be rather a bit . .hmmm not good. I beleive that the tihai is there to show the end of a composition-variatons and to create a sense of tension followed by a release. If u don''t play the theka after that tension(and considering that the last bol of a tihai is the first bol of the theka i.e. dha in most cases) I don't see how that feeling would be created in its most striking way. We all know of that sensation we feel after a a good tihai and the coming of the Dha. Wouldn't be the same without the theka I guess.
I play a composition(benarasi theka) that leads to another(bant or kaida) but in this case I don't play a tihai at the end of it. It just start to change into the other where in this case I feel it is ok because there is not tihai!
rod (Jul 26, 2002 07:30 a.m.):
A question. In Alla Raka's book, I noticed that he doesn't play the theka in between Kaidas and Kaida and Rela is that a thing u can normally do? or is it just a printing mistake?
Guess what! It's what you charitably call a printing mistake! There should be a cycle of theka played between each kaida and variations. Thanks for pointing out the omission.
Listen to a few tabla solo albums .
Generally there is theka between compositions but not always. Often you'll here a rela tie in that fits between the kaydas or compositions.
As Zakir sez:
Tabla players forget the ultimate point
which is that they are playing music. Always keep this in mind. Often in class when everyone seems to be getting the composition he'll say OK now repeat that but this time with a smile.
