The theka of Jhaptaal
Each cell is one matra. Sam is highlighted; khali beats are shown softer. Read left to right, then loop back to sam.
Xdhin1
na na2
2dhin3
dhin dhin4
na na5
0tin6
na7
3dhin8
dhin dhin9
dha dha10
About Jhaptaal
Jhaptaal spreads ten matras across four vibhags of 2, 3, 2 and 3 beats. That lopsided grouping gives it a lilting, off-square character that is instantly recognisable and a rewarding step up from the even vibhags of teentaal.
Tali falls on beats 1, 3 and 8, with khali on beat 6. Counting Jhaptaal cleanly — feeling the short-long-short-long swing — is a classic milestone in tabla and vocal training, which is why it appears so often in music-exam syllabi.
Practise it slowly first to lock in the 2-3-2-3 shape, then let Tirkit raise the tempo toward the drut end of its range.
How to count Jhaptaal
Jhaptaal runs over 10 beats grouped as 2 + 3 + 2 + 3. Keep the cycle by marking sam on beat 1 and khali (the empty section) on beat 6. Everything you play resolves back onto sam.
- Sam — beat 1, the start and resolution of the cycle.
- Khali — beat 6, marked with a wave rather than a clap.
- Vibhags — 2 + 3 + 2 + 3 beats.
Practise Jhaptaal in Tirkit
Play the Jhaptaal theka at any tempo from 80 to 200 BPM, in any key, with a tanpura underneath. Free on Google Play.
Jhaptaal — questions
How many beats (matras) are in Jhaptaal?
Jhaptaal has 10 matras, divided into vibhags of 2 + 3 + 2 + 3.
What is the theka of Jhaptaal?
The theka of Jhaptaal is: dhin na na dhin dhin dhin na na tin na dhin dhin dhin dha dha. Sam falls on beat 1 and khali on beat 6.
What is Jhaptaal used for?
Jhaptaal is commonly used in Khayal, Instrumental gats, Dhrupad-adjacent forms.