Tala

noun

/ˈtɑːlə/

A rhythmic cycle with a specific number of beats (ranging from 3 to 128) that recurs in the same pattern throughout a musical performance, providing the temporal framework within which melody and improvisation unfold in Indian classical music.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

Just as a tala imposes an unseen but exacting discipline on the improvising musician, a robust constitutional framework allows the creative play of policy while ensuring that governance never strays from its foundational rhythm of accountability.

Synonyms

rhythmic cyclemetrebeat-cyclerhythmtime-measuretaal

Antonyms

arrhythmiadiscordsyncopation

🌱 Word Family

talas (n pl), tali (n pl, variant), talika (n, Sanskrit), talavadya (n, Sanskrit compound)

🔡 Root

Sanskrit tāla = palm of the hand, clap; rhythm; related to hand-clapping as timekeeping

📜 Etymology

From Sanskrit tāla ("palm of the hand, clap; rhythm"), related to the practice of keeping time by hand-clapping; codified in Sharangadeva's Sangita Ratnakara (13th century).

🧠 Memory Hook

Tala sounds like "ta-la" you clap while keeping beat—and indeed it comes from the Sanskrit for clapping the palm (tal) to mark musical time.

🏛️ History & Culture 📖 Seen in: Classical Music of India

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