Ektaal: Uniqueness in Rhythmic of Cycle of Twelve Beats ~ Indian Classical Music

Ektaal

Ektaal is one of the popular Taal in Khyal patterns of Hindustani Classical Music. It is widely played in Vilambit Khyal in many Gharana and common Taal for Drut Khayal in almost all the Gharanas of Khyal Music. It has twelve beat cycle having six equal sections of two beats in each bar called Vibhag. Ektaal consists of four tali and two Khali in total, the first beat of Ektal is called Sama starting with the First clapping while demonstrating the Taal in hand. The second Tali is in the third bar, the third tali in the fifth bar, and the fourth tali in the sixth bar while the second and fourth bar is Khali having no signature of tali.

Ektaal is widely popular in all three formats of Khyal music especially in singing and playing an instrument in Vilambit Khyal. The Vibhag of Ektaal in two-beat per bar is similar to Choutaal, the popular Taal of Dhrupad style which is played in Pakhawaj

Theka :-

Dhin Dhin

DhaGe Tirakita

Tun Na

Kat Ta

DhaGe Tirekita

Dhin Na

Dhin

Here - x signature is the sign of Sama, two three, and four are the claps used in demonstrating Taal. Zero is the Khali or no claps silence.

Dugun Laya :-

Dhin Dhin	Dha Ge Tirakita	Tun, Na	Dhin Dhin DhaGe Tirekita
x	0	2	0

Tun Na, Kat ta	Dha Ge Tirakita Dhin Na	Dhin
3	4	x

The counting of Dugun in Extal is started from 7th beat to meet Sama. i.e., this pattern is called Dugun in one cycle (Ek Avartan). There is another pattern from Sama to Sama is also in practice.

Tigun Layakari :-

Dhin Dhin	Dha Ge Tirakita	Tun, Na	Kat ta	Dhin, Dhin, DhaGe, Tirakita Tun,Na
x	0	2	0	3

Kat, Ta, Dha Ge Tirakita Dhin, Na	Dhin
4	x

Similarly, here also the Layakari of triple timing is counted from 9^th matra to meet Sama. This pattern of tala demonstration is called Tigun in one Avartan. Sama to Sama Tigun can be demonstrated by spelling/writing the Bols three times appropriately.