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by David Courtney working tools

Description

Dhammar tal is a very old tal of the pakhawaj tradition.  As such it is played in a heavy handed style which is more appropriate to the dhammar and dhrupad style of singing than the contemporary styles such as kheyal, or thumri.  It is conspicuously absent in the popular styles such as filmi sangeet, gazal, and the like.

There are differences of opinion concerning its structure.  Most musicians consider Dhammar to be divided into four vibhags of 5, 2, 3, and 4 matras.  These vibhags are denoted with a clap, clap, wave, and clap respectively.  However, there is a different school of thought which suggests that the division should be 3, 4, 3, and 4 matras; this approach is definitely not the most common one, therefore we will adhere to the former approach.


Clapping/ Waving Arrangement

clap, 2, 3, 4, 5, Clap, 2, Wave, 2, 3, Clap, 2, 3, 4 (disputed)


Number of Beats

14


Theka

Theka for Dhammar Tal

Popular Songs

Film Songs in Dhammar Tal


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