The theka of Keherwa
Each cell is one matra. Sam is highlighted; khali beats are shown softer. Read left to right, then loop back to sam.
Xdha ge1
na ti2
na ka3
dhi na4
0dha ge5
na ti6
na ka7
dhi na8
About Keherwa
Keherwa is an eight-beat cycle split into two vibhags of four, with tali on beat 1 and khali on beat 5. It is the workhorse of light and semi-classical music: if a bhajan, ghazal or old film song has a comfortable mid-tempo groove, it is very often in keherwa.
Its theka has a natural bounce — the classic "dha ge na ti, na ka dhi na" — and it takes beautifully to the many laggi and dholak-style variations that accompanists improvise. Because the cycle is short and symmetrical, it sits well at faster tempos.
Tirkit includes a Default keherwa, a Variation and a Dhumali style, spanning a lively 120 up to a rapid 300 BPM.
How to count Keherwa
Keherwa runs over 8 beats grouped as 4 + 4. Keep the cycle by marking sam on beat 1 and khali (the empty section) on beat 5. Everything you play resolves back onto sam.
- Sam — beat 1, the start and resolution of the cycle.
- Khali — beat 5, marked with a wave rather than a clap.
- Vibhags — 4 + 4 beats.
Practise Keherwa in Tirkit
Play the Keherwa theka at any tempo from 120 to 300 BPM, in any key, with a tanpura underneath. Free on Google Play.
Keherwa — questions
How many beats (matras) are in Keherwa?
Keherwa has 8 matras, divided into vibhags of 4 + 4.
What is the theka of Keherwa?
The theka of Keherwa is: dha ge na ti na ka dhi na dha ge na ti na ka dhi na. Sam falls on beat 1 and khali on beat 5.
What is Keherwa used for?
Keherwa is commonly used in Bhajan, Ghazal, Folk, Film songs, Qawwali.