The 5 Jāthis & 7 Thālās

In the previous blog, we saw how, why and where the concept of Jaathi emerges. We saw that Laghu being the variable, is the link that connects the world of Thaala to the concept of Jaathi. Jaathi is the factor that determines the value of Laghu.

There are the 5 Jaathi:

• Thrishra – Value of Laghu will be 3. (That will be, One beat + 2 finger counts)
• Chathurashra – Value of Laghu will be 4.
• Khanda – Value of Laghu will be 5.
• Mishra – Value of Laghu will be 7.
• Sankeerna – Value of Laghu will be 9.

Now we’ll see the world of Thaala once again, see the broad categories and then see the implication of Jaathi. 

Among the various systems of Thāla, the Sapta Soolādi Thālas are the most prominent and the primary focus of study for beginners. Apart from the Sapta Soolādi Thālas, Indian music has also had other historical systems of Thālas, such as Mārga, Deshi & Chaapu Thālas. While these are important from a historical perspective, beginners typically begin by learning the Sapta Soolādi Thālas.

Saptha Soolaadhi Thaalas: 

Here, 1 represents Laghu, 0 represents Dhrutha, and U represents Anudhrutha

1. Dhruva – 1 Laghu + 1 Dhrutha + 2 Laghus (1011) 
2. Matya – 1 Laghu + 1 Dhrutha + 1 Laghu (101)
3. Roopaka – 1 Dhrutha + 1 Laghu (01)
4. Jhampe – 1 Laghu + 1 Anudhrutha + 1 Dhrutha (1U0)
5. Thriputa – 1 Laghu + 2 Dhruthas (100)
6. Ata – 2 Laghus + 2 Dhruthas (1100)
7. Eka – 1 Laghu (1)

In Saptha Sooladhi Thaalas, the requirement of Jaathi emerges. As we saw, whenever there is Laghu mentioned, we require Jaathi to be mentioned so that we know its value. 

Here we must observe that each of these seven Thaalas has five possibilities because of the five Jaathis. For example: If we take Dhruva Thaala, we get, 

1. Thrishra Jaathi Dhruva Thaala = 3+2+3+3 =11 Aksharās (beats)
2. Chathurashra Jaathi Dhruva Thaala = 4+2+4+4=14 Aksharās
3. Khanda Jaathi Dhruva Thaala = 5+2+5+5=17 Aksharās
4. Mishra Jaathi Dhruva Thaala = 7+2+7+7=23 Aksharās
5. Sankeerna Jaathi Dhruva Thaala = 9+2+9+9=29 Aksharās

So in total we get 35 possibilities combining the 5 Jaathis and 7 Thaalas. As a Carnatic music student, you will encounter this concept through Alankāras. Traditionally, seven Alankāras are taught—one in each of the Sapta Soolādi Thālas—helping students practically understand how Jāthi changes the value of Laghu.