taala
Taala, also spelled taala or tala, is the rhythmic framework used in Hindustani classical music. It refers to a cyclic pattern of beats that organizes a composition and its improvisation. Every taala has a fixed number of beats, called matra, and is subdivided into sections called vibhags. Beats with accents are marked by taali (claps) and lighter or empty beats by khali; the cycle is maintained by percussionists, most often the tabla, through syllables known as bols.
Taala is realized through a set of bol patterns that correspond to each beat. Common taalas include
A note on usage: The concept is central to rhythmic organization in Hindustani performance, especially in tabla-accompanied
In Carnatic music, a similar concept is tala, though the systems have distinct structures.