Major taals

In Kathak, taal refers to the rhythmic cycle or beat structure that is used as the basis for the dance. The taal is indicated by the accompanying music and is typically divided into a specific number of beats.

Some common taals used in Kathak are:

Teen Taal: This taal has 16 beats, which are divided into four groups of four beats each. It is the most widely used taal in Kathak and is suitable for both fast and slow tempos.

Ek Taal: This taal has 12 beats, which are divided into three groups of four beats each. It is often used for fast-paced, energetic dance pieces.

Jhaptaal: This taal has 10 beats, which are divided into two groups of five beats each. It is typically used for slower, more expressive dance pieces.

Dadra: This taal has 6 beats, which are divided into three groups of two beats each. It is often used for light, romantic dance pieces.

It is important for Kathak dancers to be able to identify and keep track of the taal as they dance, as the footwork and hand gestures are often based on the beat structure of the taal. 

Compositions and sequence of Dance

Compositions can be further sequenced as follows: 

Vandana

The dancer begins with an invocation to the gods.

Thaat

The first composition of a traditional performance; the dancer performs short plays with the time-cycle, finishing on sam in a statuesque standing (thaat) pose.

Aamad

From the Persian word meaning 'entry'; the first introduction of spoken rhythmic pattern or bol into the performance.

Salaami

Related to Ar. 'salaam' - a salutation to the audience in the Muslim style.

Kavitt

A poem set on a time-cycle; the dancer will perform movements that echo the meaning of the poem.

Paran

A composition using bols from the pakhawaj instead of only dance or tabla bols.

Parmelu or Primalu

A composition using bols reminiscent of sounds from nature, such as kukuthere (birds), jhijhikita(sound of ghunghru), tigdadigdig (strut of peacock) etc.

Gat

From the word for 'gait' (walk) showing abstract visually beautiful gaits or scenes from daily life.

Lari

A footwork composition consisting of variations on a theme, and ending in a Tihai.

Tihai

A footwork composition consisting of a long set of bols repeated thrice so that the very last bol ends dramatically on 'sam'.

Toda

A dancer performs to the composition of time beats in a rhythmic cycle, ending with Tehai and arriving on the 'sam', a concluding beat.