Damdar Tihai (Sultala) MCQs Quiz | Class 9

This quiz is for Class IX students studying Hindustani Music Percussion Instruments (Code 036) as part of the Practical unit. The questions focus on the topic: Damdar Tihai (Sultala). This test covers the fundamental concepts of composing and identifying one damdar tihai in sultala, including its structure, components like palla and dam, and its relationship with the tala cycle. Answer all questions, then click ‘Submit Quiz’ to see your score and ‘Download Answer PDF’ for a complete review sheet.

Understanding Damdar Tihai in Sultala

In Hindustani classical music, a Tihai is a powerful rhythmic device used to conclude a piece or a section. It consists of a rhythmic phrase repeated three times, calculated to land perfectly on the ‘Sam’ (the first beat) of the rhythmic cycle. A Damdar Tihai is a special type of tihai that incorporates a ‘dam’ (pause or rest) between its repetitions, adding a dramatic and aesthetic gap. This quiz focuses on understanding a Damdar Tihai within the framework of Sultala, a 10-beat cycle.

Key Concepts

1. Sultala: The 10-Beat Rhythmic Cycle

Sultala is a tala (rhythmic cycle) of 10 matras (beats). Its structure is fundamental to composing or performing any rhythmic pattern within it.

  • Matras (Beats): 10
  • Vibhags (Divisions): 5 divisions of 2 matras each (2-2-2-2-2).
  • Tali (Claps): On the 1st, 5th, and 7th matras.
  • Khali (Wave): On the 3rd and 9th matras. The ‘Khali’ is an unstressed beat, often marked by a wave of the hand.

The structure of Sultala can be visualized in the following table:

Matra 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Vibhag 1 2 3 4 5
Taali/Khali Tali (X) Khali (0) Tali (2) Tali (3) Khali (0)

2. The Anatomy of a Damdar Tihai

A Tihai is built from a few core components:

  • Palla: This is the main rhythmic phrase or melodic motif that is repeated.
  • Repetition: The palla is repeated exactly three times.
  • Dam (Pause): In a Damdar Tihai, a pause of one or more matras is inserted between the pallas. The structure becomes: Palla – Dam – Palla – Dam – Palla. The ‘dam’ is often represented by the Avagraha symbol ‘S’ in notation.
  • Sam: The ultimate goal of any tihai is to have its very last bol (syllable) land precisely on the Sam (beat 1) of the next cycle, providing a sense of rhythmic resolution.

3. Composing a Damdar Tihai in Sultala

Composing a Damdar Tihai is a mathematical process. The total length of the three pallas and two dams must be calculated so that the tihai, when started from a specific matra in the Sultala cycle, concludes on the next Sam. For example, if a tihai is 12 matras long and is being played in the 10-matra Sultala, it would start on the 9th matra of the current cycle to end on the Sam of the next cycle (9, 10, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 -> 12 beats, ends on beat 1). The beauty lies in this perfect calculation and execution.

Quick Revision Points

  • Sultala: A 10-matra tala with a 2-2-2-2-2 division.
  • Tihai: A rhythmic phrase repeated three times to conclude on the Sam.
  • Damdar Tihai: A tihai with built-in pauses (dams) for emphasis. (Palla + Dam + Palla + Dam + Palla).
  • Sam: Beat 1 of any tala; the point of arrival and resolution.
  • Palla: The core phrase of the tihai.
  • Dam: The pause, denoted by ‘S’ (Avagraha).

Practice Questions

  1. The symbol ‘S’ (Avagraha) in Indian classical music notation often represents a…
    a) Dam/Pause
    b) Tali
    c) Sam
    d) Bol
  2. Which of the following talas has 10 matras?
    a) Dadra
    b) Tintal
    c) Rupak
    d) Sultala
  3. How many ‘dams’ (pauses) are typically found in a standard Damdar Tihai?
    a) One
    b) Two
    c) Three
    d) None
  4. The Tali (clap) pattern in Sultala is on which beats?
    a) 1, 3, 7
    b) 1, 5, 9
    c) 1, 5, 7
    d) 1, 4, 8
  5. The main function of a Tihai in a performance is to…
    a) Start a new composition
    b) Create a rhythmic conclusion
    c) Change the tempo
    d) Introduce a new raga

Practice Answers: 1-a, 2-d, 3-b, 4-c, 5-b