Chautaal structure
Chautaal (also written Chau Taal or Chautal) has 12 matras grouped into vibhags of 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2. A twelve-matra taal in six vibhags of two, with a weighty feel. It comes from the dhrupad and pakhawaj tradition. A theka is the bol pattern played over the cycle.
Bol patterns vary by teacher and tradition. Follow your teacher’s version for class.
Sam, tali, and khali
- Sam · matra 1
- The first matra and the cycle’s return point. Mark it with a clap.
- Khali · matras 3 and 7
- Wave at the start of the vibhag; keep counting every matra.
- Tali · matras 5, 9 and 11
- Clap on the first matra of each of these vibhags.
Chautaal theka
One familiar written version, with each bol placed on a matra:
- Matras 1–2Dha · Dha
- Matras 3–4Dhin · Ta
- Matras 5–6Kita · Dha
- Matras 7–8Dhin · Ta
- Matras 9–10Tita · Kata
- Matras 11–12Gadi · Gana
Kita, Tita, Kata, Gadi and Gana each take two strokes within a single matra.