Taal6 matrasHindustani
Dadra Online — six matras for the light stuff
Six matras split three and three. Dadra is the pulse of light music: the semi-classical genre called dadra takes its name from it, and ghazals, bhajans, thumri-adjacent pieces and film songs lean on it constantly. It is simple — which is exactly why it exposes unsteady laya faster than any showpiece cycle.
- Matras
- 6
- Vibhags
- 3 + 3
- Taali, claps on
- 1
- Khali, a wave on
- 4
Six bols, endlessly returning. Sangat plays them on a real recorded tabla, tuned to your Sa so the drum and your tanpura agree, at whatever tempo the song wants — tap the tempo button along with any recording and the theka falls in step with it.
Dadra is one of the ten taals in the free tier. If you sing anything light at all, this and Keherwa will cover most evenings.
Counting Dadra, matra by matra
Dadra has 6 matras in 2 vibhags (3 + 3). The hand keeps the cycle: a clap for each taali, an open wave for khali. Sam, matra 1, is where every cycle begins and every phrase aims to land.
| Matra | Bol | Vibhag | Hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | dha | 1 | sam — clap (X) |
| 2 | dhi | 1 | |
| 3 | na | 1 | |
| 4 | dha | 2 | wave (0) |
| 5 | tu | 2 | |
| 6 | na | 2 |
Practising Dadra
- Open Dadra in Sangat and set Sa to your key, so the tabla and the tanpura agree.
- Light songs in Dadra often run 90–180 BPM.
- Dadra is short enough that an unsteady laya shows at once. Tap the tempo of a song you know, then sing it over the theka and listen for where you rush the tu na.
- Sing an alankar or a sargam line over the theka, starting and ending each phrase on sam. Raise the tempo only once you land on sam without thinking about it.
New to matras, vibhags and khali? Taal basics explains them with every free taal side by side.
Questions
How many beats (matras) are in Dadra?
Dadra has 6 matras, divided into 2 vibhags of 3 + 3.
What is the theka of Dadra?
The standard theka is: dha dhi na | dha tu na.
Where are the claps and khali in Dadra?
The claps fall on 1, and khali (a wave) on 4.
What music uses Dadra?
Dadra is used in dadra, thumri-adjacent songs, ghazals, bhajans and film music.
Can I practise Dadra online for free?
Yes. Dadra is one of the ten free taals in Sangat: a recorded tabla re-pitched to your Sa, from 10 to 720 BPM, in the browser with no account.