The theka of Dadra
Each cell is one matra. Sam is highlighted; khali beats are shown softer. Read left to right, then loop back to sam.
Xdha -kda1
dhin2
naketita3
0dha -kda4
-5
na na6
About Dadra
Dadra is a six-beat taal of two vibhags of three, with tali on beat 1 and khali on beat 4. It lends its name to the light-classical dadra song form and is, alongside keherwa, one of the two taals every accompanist of semi-classical music must own.
Its three-plus-three shape gives a gentle, waltz-like sway that suits the romantic, expressive world of thumri and the devotional mood of bhajan. Players decorate it endlessly with kda, tita and laggi fills.
In Tirkit, Dadra comes in Default, a Variation and a Garba style, comfortable from 100 to 250 BPM.
How to count Dadra
Dadra runs over 6 beats grouped as 3 + 3. Keep the cycle by marking sam on beat 1 and khali (the empty section) on beat 4. Everything you play resolves back onto sam.
- Sam — beat 1, the start and resolution of the cycle.
- Khali — beat 4, marked with a wave rather than a clap.
- Vibhags — 3 + 3 beats.
Practise Dadra in Tirkit
Play the Dadra theka at any tempo from 100 to 250 BPM, in any key, with a tanpura underneath. Free on Google Play.
Dadra — questions
How many beats (matras) are in Dadra?
Dadra has 6 matras, divided into vibhags of 3 + 3.
What is the theka of Dadra?
The theka of Dadra is: dha -kda dhin naketita dha -kda - na na. Sam falls on beat 1 and khali on beat 4.
What is Dadra used for?
Dadra is commonly used in Thumri, Dadra (song form), Bhajan, Ghazal, Folk.