Keherwa, along with dadra, is the most popular taal played on songs. Due to its popularity, it is played on a variety instruments, including tabla, dholak, naal, khol, etc. It’s primary use is in movie songs and solo playing on this taal is non-existent. There are innumerable variations of keherwa to suit specific songs and laggi-ladiyan are also played. It follows a 4/4 structure.
Essential features of this taal are:
- Matras: 8
- Vibhaag: 2
- Taali: 1
- Khaali: 5
Keherwa Theka
x Dha Ge Na Ti | 0 Na Ka Dhi Na |]
x धा गे ना ती |0 ना क धी ना |
Here is the lehra/nagma for you to practice:
Theka Variations
- Dha Ti Dha S | Ta Ti Ta S |
- Dhi Tak Ta Ta | Ti Tak Ta Ta |
- DhaGe NaTi NaKe DhaDha | DhaGe NaTi NaKe DhaDha |
- DhaDhin NaTete TaTin NaTete | DhaDhin NaTete TaTin NaTete |
- DhaDhin DhaDha DhaTi DhiNa | DhaTi TaTa DhaTi DhiNa |
Laggis
1. DhaGe DhaDhin SKaDhi NaDa | TaGe TaTi SKaTin NaDa |
- DhaGe DhaGe DhaDhin SKaDhi | DhaGe NaDhin SKaDhi NaDa |
TaGe TaGe TaTi SKaTi | DhaGe NaDhi SKaDhi NaDa | - DhaDhi SKaDhin SKaDhi NaDa | Dhage NaDhi SKaDhi NaDa |
TaTi SKaTi SKaTi NaDa | DhaGe DhaDhi SKaDhi NaDa | - DhiS KaDhi SKaDhi NaDa | DhaGe NaDhi SKaDhi Nada |
TiS KaTi SKaTi NaDa | DhaGe NaDhi SKaDhin NaDa | - DhaDhi SKaDhi NaDa DhaGe | DhaGe DhaDhi SKaDhi NaDa |
TaTi SKaTi NaDa TaGe | DhaGe DhaDhi SKaDhi NaDa | - Tihai
DhaDhi SKaDhi SKaDhi NaDa | Dha, S DhaDhi SKaDhi |
SKaDhi NaDa Dha, S | DhaDhi SKaDhi SKaDhi NaDa |
2. DhaTe TeDhe NaTi GheNa | TaTe TeKe NaTi KeNa |
- DhaTe TeDhe NaDhi Ghena | DhaTi GheNa DhaTi GheNa |
TaTe TeKe NaTi Kena | DhaTi GheNa DhaTi GheNa | - TeTe GheNa DhaTi GheNa | DhaTe TeDhe NaTi GheNa |
TeTe KeNa TaTi KeNa | DhaTe TeDhe NaTi GheNa | - Tihai
DhaTe TeDhe NaTi GheNa | Dha, S DhaTe TeDhe |
NaTi GheNa Dha S | DhaTe TeDha NaTi GheNa |
3. DhaTi DhaDi Gin DhaTi | TaTi TaDi Gin DhaTi |
- DhaGe NaDha GeNa DhaGe | DhaGe NaDi GiNa DhaTi |
TaGe NaTa Gen TaGe | DhaGe NaDi GiNa DhaTi |
Ladi
- GheNa DhaTe TeDhe NaTi | KeNa TaTe TeKe NaTi |
Ladi is just a part of Laggi (in this case, of the 2nd laggi mentioned above), which is played in Chaugun Laya.
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Pranam… Nice
Good and informative.
What does the S before the bols mean?
KaTi SKaTi NaDha
Hey Ahbab, sorry for the late reply. The “S” means an empty bol. A pause of sorts.
It is supposed to be the Devanagari ऽ character bhai
I had the same question about “S” in Taal description. Also wanted to TY for deciphering various Theka in Keharwa. I knew there are multiple variations of Theka but was not aware of their patterns.
IT WOULD BE BETTER IF SHORT VEDIO OF HOW TO PLAY VARIOUS THEKAS TO ENABLE TO UNDERSTAND EASILY..
Coming soon 🙂