Damdar Tihai (2) (Teentala/Aditala) MCQs Quiz | Class 9

This quiz is for Class 9 students of Hindustani Music Percussion Instruments (Code 036), focusing on the Practical unit. It covers the topic of composing and identifying two types of Damdar Tihais, specifically in Teentala and Aditala. Test your knowledge on these rhythmic patterns, submit your answers, and download the PDF for a detailed review.

Understanding Damdar Tihai in Teentala & Aditala

A Tihai is a fundamental rhythmic composition in Hindustani classical music. It consists of a phrase (palla) repeated three times, concluding precisely on the ‘Sam’ (the first beat) of the rhythmic cycle (tala). The Damdar Tihai is a specific type of tihai characterized by a pause or gap (‘dam’) between each repetition of the palla. This pause adds a dramatic and aesthetic quality to the performance.

Key Concepts of Damdar Tihai

  • Palla: The rhythmic phrase or ‘bol’ that is repeated.
  • Dam: The pause or gap of a specific duration (measured in matras or beats) that separates the pallas.
  • Repetitions: The palla is always repeated three times.
  • Structure: The general structure is: (Palla) + (Dam) + (Palla) + (Dam) + (Palla).
  • Landing on Sam: The entire structure must be calculated to end perfectly on the first beat (‘Sam’) of the next cycle of the tala.

Damdar Tihai in Teentala

Teentala is a 16-beat cycle (16 matras), divided into four sections (vibhags) of 4 matras each. The pattern of claps (taali) and waves (khaali) is Taali-Taali-Khaali-Taali. When composing a damdar tihai in Teentala, the total length of the three pallas and two dams must fit perfectly within a certain number of matras to land on Sam.

Example in Teentala:

Let’s create a tihai starting from the 1st matra to land on the 1st matra of the next cycle (covering 16 matras).

  • Palla: धा धिं धिं धा (Dha Dhin Dhin Dha) – 4 matras
  • Dam: 2 matras pause
  • Total length: (4 matra palla + 2 matra dam) + (4 matra palla + 2 matra dam) + (4 matra palla) = 4+2+4+2+4 = 16 matras.
  • Execution: धा धिं धिं धा (pause) (pause) धा धिं धिं धा (pause) (pause) धा धिं धिं धा. The final ‘धा’ will land on the Sam.

Damdar Tihai in Aditala

Aditala (or Adi Tala) is an 8-beat cycle, commonly associated with Carnatic music but also used in Hindustani music, especially in lighter forms. It has two vibhags of 4 matras each. Composing a damdar tihai here follows the same principle but within an 8-matra framework.

Comparison: Bedam vs. Damdar Tihai

Feature Bedam Tihai (without pause) Damdar Tihai (with pause)
Structure Palla + Palla + Palla Palla + Dam + Palla + Dam + Palla
Rhythmic Feel Continuous, flowing Has gaps, creates suspense and anticipation
Example ‘Bol’ DhaDhaDha Dha (pause) Dha (pause) Dha

Quick Revision Points

  • A tihai is a phrase repeated three times to conclude on the ‘Sam’.
  • ‘Damdar’ means ‘with a pause’ or ‘with breath’. The pause is called ‘dam’.
  • The structure is (Palla + Dam) x 2 + Palla.
  • Teentala has 16 matras; Aditala has 8 matras.
  • The total duration of the tihai (pallas + dams) must be calculated to fit perfectly within the tala cycle.
  • The ‘dam’ can be of any duration (e.g., 1 matra, 2 matras, half a matra), as long as the math works out.

Practice Questions

  1. Compose a 1-matra damdar tihai in Teentala that spans the entire 16-matra cycle. What is the length of your palla?
  2. How does the presence of ‘dam’ affect the aesthetic appeal of a tihai?
  3. Can a tihai start from any matra of a tala? Explain with an example.
  4. Compose a damdar tihai in Aditala (8 matras) with a half-matra dam.
  5. Listen to a tabla solo and try to identify a damdar tihai. Note down the bols if you can.