Tala system in Odissi music follows the Talas laid down by Bharata. According to Bharata muni the talas in which a Suda Gana should be sung are - Aadi, Yati, Nisaru, Adda tala, Triputa, Rupaka, Jhampaka or Jhampa, Mantha and Ektal. These are the Talas used in Orissa. They are mentioned in Geeta Prakash of Krushna Das and Sangeet Muktavali by Harichandra. These are the Talas which have been in use in Odissi music from ancient times and continue to be so. Apart from the above mentioned there are also a number of Prachilit Talas which are used in Odissi Music. These include- Aditala, Jatitala, Nisharu, Adatali, Triputa, Rupak, Jhampa, Matha, Ektala, Athatali, Kuduk, Sariman, Pahapata, Jhula, Gaja Jhampa, Khemta, Kaharba, Tetola (Tritala), Chautala and Dhamara.
In the Badya Adhyaya (Chapter on instruments) of Sangeeta Ratnakar in sloka 848 to 894 Sarangadev has described the Hasta-Pata Lakshanas (the characteristics of hands and fingers movement).For example:
Tan - gini, gidi, dagi, kita, tata, khir, ta tho, dhi, -jhen, Nag - taki - dhi ki -thaniki, khe - dhi dhi gira. dran dnan Khu khud - kit tho, kita jhe, thargida takit - raha - thogiu - dhi kit etc.
This Badyaskhara system has been followed by important Sastras of Orissa like Geeta Prakash, Sangeeta Narayan, Sangeeta Muktabali etc.
Many treatises have been written on Talas and they describe its various aspects. One of the most important among these treatises is the `Tala Sarbasara Sangraha.` It was written by Shri Padmanava Narayan Deva in 1896 A.D. The writer mentions that at the time of Lord Shiva`s Tandava Nritiya seven Talas, namely, Dhruva Tala, Matha, Rupak, Jhampa, Triputa, Adatali, Aktali arose. In this text, there is description of ten Pranas of Tala, six Jatis, seven Talas, Laya, Anga etc. It also discusses the history of the origin of Tala. He has given the names and characteristics of 110 Talas, which are based on Sastras.
Some of the original Talas used in Odissi music include Kuduk, Triputa and Sariman Talas. The Kuduk is mainly used in the Dhrubpad style of singing. So this tala is called dhruba padanga tala. The Triputa consists of 14 matras. It is very similar to 95th tala, "Antarkritala" of `Sangeet Ratnakar`. The Sariman Tala is very old and is a traditional Tala of Odissi music.
Thus discussed are the Talas used in Odissi Music.
