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TAALAM
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is another aspect of taalam which merits attention - the starting
point of the song in relation to the taalam or
the eduppu as it is called. Many songs start
simultaneously with the beat and this is
termed as sama eduppu indicating that the start is level with the
taalam. Often, the song starts after the taalam is
started, leaving an empty rhythm pattern
at the beginning. This gap allows the singer greater freedom in
improvisation (see also under the section titled Elements of a
Recital). This is indicated by the term anaagatha eduppu.
Sometimes, the song starts before the beat and this is termed
atheetha eduppu. This construction is
often used to add a one or two syllable prefix
(eg. Hari, Sri, Amba) to the text of the melodic line. A
peculiar eduppu is associated with a taalam called Desadi taalam. Though
this taalam actually consists of four movements, each of two
aksharam duration, it is
customary to keep pace for this taalam using simple Aadi taalam.
Then, the eduppu is at one and half aksharams from the start of the
taalam or three eighths way into the
laghu. An example for Desadi eduppu is the song 'Bantu reethi kolu
viya vayya Raama' in the ragam
Hamsanaadham. |
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