The theka of Tilwada
Each cell is one matra. Sam is highlighted; khali beats are shown softer. Read left to right, then loop back to sam.
Xdha1
tirakita2
dhin3
dhin4
2dha5
dha dha6
tin7
tin8
0ta9
tirakita10
dhin11
dhin12
3dha13
dha dha14
dhin15
dhin dhin16
About Tilwada
Tilwada shares teentaal's structure — sixteen beats in four vibhags of four, khali on beat 9 — but replaces the plain theka with a richer, more decorated pattern of tirakita and doubled bols.
It is played slowly, and its density of strokes gives a vilambit khayal a fuller rhythmic bed than teentaal would. Tirkit keeps it in its natural 30–100 BPM window.
How to count Tilwada
Tilwada runs over 16 beats grouped as 4 + 4 + 4 + 4. Keep the cycle by marking sam on beat 1 and khali (the empty section) on beat 9. Everything you play resolves back onto sam.
- Sam — beat 1, the start and resolution of the cycle.
- Khali — beat 9, marked with a wave rather than a clap.
- Vibhags — 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 beats.
Practise Tilwada in Tirkit
Play the Tilwada theka at any tempo from 30 to 100 BPM, in any key, with a tanpura underneath. Free on Google Play.
Tilwada — questions
How many beats (matras) are in Tilwada?
Tilwada has 16 matras, divided into vibhags of 4 + 4 + 4 + 4.
What is the theka of Tilwada?
The theka of Tilwada is: dha tirakita dhin dhin dha dha dha tin tin ta tirakita dhin dhin dha dha dha dhin dhin dhin. Sam falls on beat 1 and khali on beat 9.
What is Tilwada used for?
Tilwada is commonly used in Vilambit khayal.