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  Indian classical music stands upon two building blocks: Sur, or melody, and Taal, or rhythm. The melody conveys emotions, while rhythm gives those emotions a form. For students just starting with Hindustani or Dhrupad Music , learning the Taals is imperative. Whether one is starting to find singing classes around them or tablas lessons nearby, here one learns the rhythmic language at the heart of Indian music. What is a Taal? A Taal is a cyclical rhythmic pattern-a framework of beats that repeat to provide the foundation for musical performance. Taals are felt rather than counted mechanically, akin to a heartbeat guiding the performance. Common introductory Taals are: Teen Taal (16 beats) Dadra: 6 beats Keharwa: 8 beats Jhaptal (10 beats) Due to their simplicity, balance, and effectiveness in developing rhythmic sensibility, these patterns are usually the first rhythmic concepts taught in tabla or vocal music classes nearby. Key Elements of a Taal For a beginner, three concepts a...