EXAM Advanced Rhythm COMPOSITION 1ST YEAR

1) Explain as much as possible about Tala Construction and Suladi Tala system. Give 3 different
‘correct’ and 2 ‘incorrect’ combinations of Laghu, Drutam and Anudrutam for Talas 7 & 11.

2) Write a 8-beat phrase in khanda and another 6-beat phrase in Misra with no rests or ties and
write two variations on each phrase by using ties and rests. Do not use 32nd notes.

3) Taking Tala 9 (L5 D D) as the framework, write all the possibilities to finish the following
polyrhythms (whether on Anga or Tala Sam):
-Player A plays Khanda jathi 4x 3 times -Player B plays Tisra jathi 5x 2 times

4) Write a phrase in Khanda jathi 4 (12 b.) and Misra jathi 5 (10 b.) with the Gati Bhedam concept
and notation.

5) Explain as much as you can about the technique and concept of 'Rhythmical sangati'. Write a 6-
beat phrase in Khanda and transform it, using Rhythmical Sangati, into Tisra (2nd speed)
-by adapting the original phrase to the flow of the new gati,
-by preserving the original flavor and
-by using jathi 4 or 7. Complete the latter by adding notes so the phrase resolves on a beat.

6) Taking Tisra as starting & finishing point, construct a 'Gati Bhedam's Tree' in tala 9 (L5 D D). No
less than 12 steps.

7) Write a rhythmical development on the previous Tree, based on a short cell. Use Rhythmical
sangatis as the main technique of development, but be creative with it. Explain the analysis of the
development.

8) Write a Sama Mukthay in 2 cycles of tala 9. Show at least 3 possibilities of pala length before you
make your choice for the mukthay.

9) Develop the sama mukthay

-staying in the same gati, by giving two different jathi re-groupings of the original phrase
-by creating 2 completely different phrases on the original jathi sequence (writing one pala
of the mukthay is enough)
-taking it into another gati of your choice, adding a mini- mukthay

10) Write a sequence of Jathi Bhedam in chatusra in 1 cycle of tala 12. Write 2 phrases on the
sequence: one keeping the same number of notes (choose 2, 3 or 4 notes per cell), and a ‘free
phrase’.
11) Develop the previous sequence by giving two options for each of the following possibilities (no
phrase needed, only numbers or letters for fragments):
-keeping the sequence order and permutate and/or retrogade the cells
-using a permutation or repetition/omission of the sub-groups (fragments) of the
sequence (add a short mukthay if necessary)
-taking it to Khanda: Complete the tala by inserting new cells or by adding a short
mukthay

12) Explain, in your own words, as much as possible about Anuloma-Pratiloma. Write a 8-beat
phrase in khanda regular speed and write the same phrase in 2nd speed Anuloma, 2nd, 3rd speed
Pratiloma, and in 10:3. Use the ‘correct’ notation.

13) Write a phrase in khanda 2nd speed pratiloma (no less than 10 brackets) and another phrase in
14:3 (no less than 10 ‘double brackets’)

14) Write a phrase in Khanda combining regular speed with 2nd speed Anuloma and 2nd & 3rd
speeds pratiloma (including 10:3) (20-25 b.) Use the correct notation.

15) Write a phrase in Misra combining regular speed with 2nd & 3rd speeds pratiloma (including
14:3) (20-25 b.) Use the correct notation.

16) Write a 10-beat phrase in khanda 2nd speed Anuloma avoiding the inner accent 5+5, and
another one in chatusra 2nd sp. Anuloma avoiding 4+4.

17) Write a mridangamyati with the palindromic option. Talas and developmental options of your
choice.

18) Write a damaruyati with the ‘mukthay-like’ option. Talas and developmental options of your
choice.

19) Write a 9-beat phrase with melody and write the 5 Viloma possibilities on it.
-Write a phrase of your choice and turn it into 5 Palindrome phrases, using the 5 different
techniques for the mirrored part of the phrase.

Although there are 19 questions, not all of them are marked in the same way. Question 7 is graded with
1+1/2 point, whereas 1 & 4 receive ¼ point. The remaining questions are graded with ½ point each.