Laya and layakari

Laya

Laya is the steady speed or tempo at which music moves; it is the even flow of time between matras. There are three main layas:

• Vilambit: slow tempo, used for bada khayal and for detailed elaboration.
• Madhya: medium tempo, between vilambit and drut.
• Drut: fast tempo, used for chhota khayal, tarana and fast gats.

Layakari

Layakari means performing bols or notes at a fixed multiple of the basic laya while the taal cycle continues at its original speed. The basic speed (one bol per matra) is called thah or barabar laya.

• Dugun: 2 bols in each matra.
• Tigun: 3 bols in each matra.
• Chaugun: 4 bols in each matra.
• Chhegun: 6 bols in each matra.

A fractional layakari also exists: aad places 3 bols in 2 matras (one and a half times).

Worked arithmetic

If a taal has N matras, its bols in dugun take N ÷ 2 matras, in tigun N ÷ 3, in chaugun N ÷ 4.

• Teentaal (16 matras) in dugun takes 8 matras. To finish on sam within one cycle, start the dugun at matra 9.
• Teentaal in chaugun takes 4 matras, so start at matra 13.
• Ektaal (12 matras) in tigun takes 4 matras, so start at matra 9.
• Total bols per avartan = matras × multiple. Jhaptaal in tigun = 10 × 3 = 30 bols.

Key points

• Laya = tempo; vilambit, madhya, drut.
• Thah = 1 bol per matra; dugun 2, tigun 3, chaugun 4, chhegun 6.
• Aad laya = 3 bols in 2 matras.
• In layakari the taal itself does not speed up; only the bols are compressed.

Exam tips

• For "where to start" questions: start matra = total matras − (matras taken) + 1.
• Write the bols out with commas in Bhatkhande style to check your count.