Bols and Their Notation
This section covers bols and notation: the syllables played on tabla and the written system used to place them under matras. The exam asks you to read a notation line, identify the tala, and write bols at the correct matra numbers.
Notation rules
- A bol is a spoken syllable such as Dha, Dhin, Tin, Na, Ta, Ge or Ke. Each bol has a hand combination, so notation must preserve both sound and stroke.
- Matra numbers are written above the bols. Vertical bars separate vibhags.
- Standard symbols: × for sam, 0 for khali, and numbered tali marks such as 2 and 3.
- A dash or space separates matras; a double bar may mark the end of an avartan.
Teental theka
1 Dha, 2 Dhin, 3 Dhin, 4 Dha | 5 Dha, 6 Dhin, 7 Dhin, 8 Dha | 9 Dha, 10 Tin, 11 Tin, 12 Ta | 13 Ta, 14 Dhin, 15 Dhin, 16 Dha.
Mark × at 1, tali 2 at 5, khali 0 at 9, and tali 3 at 13.
Worked example
Given the line “Dha Dhin Dhin Dha | Dha Dhin Dhin Dha | Dha Tin Tin Ta | Ta Dhin Dhin Dha”, identify the tala and khali. Reason: there are 16 matras in four equal vibhags; the third vibhag opens with Dha Tin Tin Ta, so khali is at matra 9. This is Teental. The repeated Dha at 1 and 5 marks tali points, while matra 9 is the wave.
Traps that cost marks
Do not write Tin where Dha is required at khali; the lighter sound matters. Do not omit bar lines, because they show vibhags. Do not place the sam symbol over matra 0. Do not mix Dha and Dhin: Dha has bass Ge, while Dhin uses Tin with Ge. Keep matra numbers aligned with the bols, not squeezed between them.
Exam focus
Practise converting a spoken theka into written notation and back again without changing the sam, khali or vibhag order.