krta

Krta, or kṛta, is a transliteration of a Sanskrit term meaning “made, created, performed” and is used as both an adjective and a noun in various Indian cultural and linguistic contexts. The diacritic form kṛta is often used in scholarly writing, while krta is a common unmarked variant.

In Hindu cosmology, Krita Yuga (also called Satya Yuga) is the first of the four ages in the yuga cycle. It is described as an era of truth, virtue, and dharma, with harmony between humanity and the divine. According to tradition, Krita Yuga lasts about 1,728,000 years and is followed by Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga, and Kali Yuga, each progressively shorter and more degenerate in virtue.

In Indian classical music, a krita (or kṛta) is a fixed, melodic composition in a raga that is set to a tala (rhythmic cycle). Kṛtās are typically devotional in theme and constitute a core repertoire for performance, particularly in Carnatic music, where composers such as Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Shyama Shastri are renowned for their kritās. These works serve as vehicles for both melodic rendition and improvisation within a raga and its established rules.

The term also appears in Hindu literature and linguistics as a root meaning “done” or “performed,” and is encountered in various compound forms and scholarly discussions. Variants include Krita and Kṛta, reflecting transliteration differences.