5.3 The alankaras: Dhruva, Matya and Rupaka
Play the first three of the seven tala alankaras in Mayamalavagowla.
The sapta tala alankaras take one melodic pattern and set it in each of the seven talas in turn. Dhruva has fourteen beats to a cycle, Matya ten and Rupaka six, and playing the same shape in three different cycle lengths is what teaches the talas apart.
Work through these
Learn the Dhruva tala alankara and count its fourteen beats.
karnATik — Beginner lessons · TutorialLearn the Matya tala alankara, ten beats to a cycle.
Learn the Rupaka tala alankara, six beats to a cycle.
Keep each tala with the hand while you play.
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Links last checked 30 Aug 2026.
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