Introduction to Thaalam / Taal / Tāla | Rhytmic Pattern or Beats in Bharatanatyam

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I cannot stress the importance of "Thaalam"  or "Tala" (ताल ) in dance. The entire dance is set to a particular Taal and has to be followed with utmost precision. Even missing one beat in the Taal can be catastrophic! :-D And I'm being over melodramatic. Well.. not catastrophic. But messing up the Beats (Taal) will definitely mess up your performance and make people notice your mistakes.

"Taalam" (तालं ) is a Sanskrit word that means "to clap". A Bharatanatyam dance is usually set to Carnatic Music and Carnatic Music is set to rhythmic pattern of beats known as Taalam. An understanding of the Talam System of Carnatic Music will ensure a wholesome learning of this art form. (Not all Bbharatanatyam dancers learn Carnatic Music. It isn't a prerequisite. But it is noticed that those who learn both Carnatic Music and Bharatanatyam together have a better understanding of the system of Talam, Ragam, Emotions etc. So if you get the chance to learn both, do learn them!)

Rhythm in Carnatic music changes for each composition. Songs are set to a specific Thaalam or beat. (Some songs may have multiple rhythms). Each and every Thaalam has a structure, that is governed by the rules pertaining to it. In Carnatic Music, each pulse (every hit) is called "Aksharam" (अक्षर ) that are placed at equal intervals (although each interval is capable of being divided into faster or slower Swaras). Each Thaalam comes in cycles of a number of beats, called an "Aavartanam" (आवर्तन ). So the total number of "Aksharams" (hits) make up one "Aavartanam" of a Thaalam.

Thandai Muzhanga Lyrics | Murugan Bharatanatyam Shabdam

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 If you don't know what a Shabdam in Bharatanatyam means, I urge you to read my article on the same. It is an item wherein the Abhinaya (or expressions) are introduced for the first time in a recital. Needless to say, the emphasis being on Abhinaya, Shabdam is not a Nritta-piece.

Thandai Muzhanga is a beautiful dance piece on Lord Karthikeya (or Lord Muruga) who is the son of Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati. Almost 9 years ago, I did this very same Shabdam for my Arangetram. I've learned quite a few Shabdams since then, but this remains to be my favorite item.  

Although the audio in this video is not clear, it'll give you an idea of the tune of this Shabdam. I found this on YouTube. If you want the Thandai Muzhanga Shabdam SONG for download, please click "Read More"

What is a Shabdam in Bharatanatyam?

What is a Shabdam (read: Sh-uhb-dham - शब्दं )?

Shabdam is a Bharatanatyam Item in which the Expressions (or Abhinaya) are introduced for the first time in the repertoire. The song (saahityam) is usually separated into stanzas and between each stanza, you'll have a simple Korvai (nritta steps). Each stanza can contain a different story or all of them put together is one single story. But essentially the whole item is about one person, one theme.

This item is usually set to the Misra Chapu Thaalam and Ragamalika (different Ragams or Tunes for different stanzas). Misra Chapu Thaalam is a series of 7 beats (1-2-3 ; 1-2-3-4 or tha-ki-ta ; tha-ka-dhi-mi)

The movements here are leisurely. In the Shabdam, emotions are withheld at the beginning; thereafter, when the dancer has clarified herself, they are released in a measured and disciplined manner.

Shabdams are also referred to as Yashogeethams . They have also inherited an Islamic Influence of repeating the Salaam or Namostute (paying respects to the Almighty or the King) at the end of each line. This pleased the patrons. Initially Shabdams were composed and rendered in one Raaga. But it is now a common practice to use one Raaga (or tune) for each stanza and present the composition in Raagamalika.

Some of the Shabdams that I know of are listed below. There may be many more to the list. Please let me know by leaving a comment on this post. I shall be happy to update the list -

Thandai Muzhanga

Aayar Seriyar

Adum Mayil

Vayu Maidane

Aazhi Suzhnthida

Ramar

Devi Thaye

Shivan

Venu Gananai

Krishna Manjari

Myilai Pujitha

Sararijakshulu