How to make chApu "tALAs" -- a guide to the possibilites

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SrinathK
Posts: 2477
Joined: 13 Jan 2013, 16:10

How to make chApu "tALAs" -- a guide to the possibilites

Post by SrinathK »

Let us take the patterns adding up to 5.

5
14
23
113
32
122
212
1112
41
131
221
1121
311
1211
2111
11111

What happens when you divide all those numbers by 2?
2.5
0.5 2
1 1.5
0.5 0.5 1.5
1.5 1
0.5 1 1
1 0.5 1 -- khaNDa chApu
0.5 0.5 0.5 1
2 0.5
0.5 1.5 0.5
1 1 0.5
0.5 0.5 1 0.5
1.5 0.5 0.5
0.5 1 0.5 0.5
1 0.5 0.5 0.5
0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

As you can see, ALL of them turn into chApu "tAlas" (actually chandas, but since everyone calls it that, I will put it in quotes). Now let's be a bit more specific. If we were to strictly filter out only half and whole beats (0.5 and 1, then out of the list, these would be applicable as chApus).

0.5 1 1
1 0.5 1 -- khaNDa chApu
0.5 0.5 0.5 1
1 1 0.5
0.5 0.5 1 0.5
0.5 1 0.5 0.5
1 0.5 0.5 0.5
0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 - So the khaNDa chApu is in fact only one out of 8 possible chApus that come up to 5 counts.

I haven't even got started on the possibilities of diving by 3, which would give you chApu "tAlas" inherently compatible with tisra naDai. For example, 2+3 --> 2/3+1. For a long time, we have been counting 5,7 and 9 units using chApus because they deconstruct these lengths into a breakup compatible with chatushra naDai and then we can handle them via chatushra naDai itself. It is also much more intuitive to use half and full beats instead of agonizingly difficult combinations like 1/3, 2/5 etc, for which our intuitive sense isn't really developed.

E.g. These odd naDai chApus can count 4 units like 1 3 --> 1/3 + 1 (divide by 3)

A metronome with a built in editor can demonstrate how these other naDai chApus can sound. I know CM rhythm is already complicated enough, but there is always more out there. Ok, now you can go back and listen to an electrifying and heart melting nAmasankirtanam and be in peace, not having to break your head over this...someday I should write about how music makes me feel.

Christian Kenit Ram
Posts: 78
Joined: 11 Oct 2016, 22:23

Re: How to make chApu "tALAs" -- a guide to the possibilites

Post by Christian Kenit Ram »

122 or 0.5 1 1 ( in half counts ) would be Viloma Khanda Chapu ( reverse Khanda Chapu ) which is very rare .

shankarank
Posts: 4042
Joined: 15 Jun 2009, 07:16

Re: How to make chApu "tALAs" -- a guide to the possibilites

Post by shankarank »

1 2 2 - is familiar Sloka meter - for example

Vina Venkatesam Na Natho Na Natha
Sada Venkatesam Smarami Smarami
Hare Venkatesa Praseedha Praseedha
Priyam Venkatesa Prayacha Prayacha.

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