tala

Tala is a term most widely associated with rhythm in Indian classical music. In this tradition, a tala is a rhythmic cycle that organizes time in a performance. It consists of a fixed number of beats, called matras, arranged into repeating patterns. The cycle is typically maintained by a drum accompaniment whose fixed sequence of strokes, known as the theka, defines the tala’s characteristic rhythm. Talas in Hindustani and Carnatic music vary in length and structure, and musicians weave melodic phrases within the framework of the tala, sometimes accelerating or slowing the tempo (laya) while preserving the cycle. Common examples in Hindustani music include teentaal (a 16-beat cycle) and dadra (a six-beat cycle), among many other cycles used across styles and compositions. The concept of tala is distinct from tempo, yet they interact closely to shape the groove and phrasing of a performance.

Beyond music, tala is used as a personal name in various cultures. In Tagalog, tala means star, and the word appears as a given name in the Philippines and among speakers of other languages. As a proper name, tala can carry cultural or familial significance and is encountered in literature, film, and media.

The term Tala also appears as a place name in different regions, used for towns, neighborhoods, or districts in diverse countries. In summary, tala denotes a rhythmical framework in Indian classical music and serves as a cross-cultural term used in names and geography.