Defining Thalam and Terms related to Thalam

 

                 Terms related to Thalam



  •  Thalam in Carnatic Music is used as a tool to maintain tempo and also to some extent helps in defining the structure of the song.
  • This Sanskrit word is derived by combining two words 'Thadavam ' and 'Lasyam'.  
  • Thadavam represents Lord Shiva and Lasyam Parvathi.   



Aavartham: one cycle of a Thalam is said to complete one Avartham.


Aksharakalam: The time taken to sing one short syllable 

Parts of thalam (Thalangas): The word Thalangas can be derived from Thalam and Angam ( Sanskrit word for parts ) 

There are 3 important Thalangas 
a) Anudhrutham: 
  •  This thalam consists of a single beat of the right palm.
  •  This can be identified in  Jhampa thalam.
  • The common symbol of Annudhrutma is ' U '

b) Dhrutham :
  • Dhrutham is the combination of Anudhrutham i.e a single beat of the right palm and turning the palm facing upwards.
  • Dhrutham is represented with ' O '
  • Dhrutham occurs in many thalas, it occurs twice in Aadhi Thalam and once in Rupaka Thalam.
  • It does not occur in Eka thalam.

c) Laghu: Laghu comprises of one beat and counting of the fingers.
The number of aksharas in Laghu varies from Thalam to Thalam .
The symbol of Laghu ' I '.

















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