Question

Arrange the following taals in the South Indian Music in descending order according to the Matras of Mishra Jati:
A. Jhamp
B. Rupak
C. Triput
E. Matha
D. Ektaal
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. E, C, A, B, D
• B. D, B, E, C, A
• C. D, B, C, A, E
• D. D, B, A, C, E

Hint:

Matha Taal features two separate Laghu blocks ($| \, O \, |$), making it significantly longer than single-Laghu cycles like Triput, Jhamp, or Rupak under any high-value Jati modification.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: To arrange these Carnatic rhythmic cycles in descending order, we first calculate their total beat counts under the Mishra Jati modification (where the variable *Laghu* block is worth exactly 7 beats).

Step 1: Calculate total beats for each option using Mishra Jati component values.
Recall that a *Dhrutam* ($O$) has a fixed length of 2 beats, an *Anudhrutam* ($U$) has a fixed length of 1 beat, and a *Mishra Laghu* ($|$) has a length of 7 beats. Let us calculate the total beat counts:
• E. Matha Taal: Formed by one Laghu, one Dhrutam, and another Laghu ($| \, O \, |$). $$\text{Total beats} = 7 \, (\text{Laghu}) + 2 \, (\text{Dhrutam}) + 7 \, (\text{Laghu}) = 16 \text{ matras}$$
• C. Triputa Taal: Formed by one Laghu followed by two Dhrutams ($| \, O \, O$). $$\text{Total beats} = 7 \, (\text{Laghu}) + 2 \, (\text{Dhrutam}) + 2 \, (\text{Dhrutam}) = 11 \text{ matras}$$
• A. Jhampa Taal: Formed by one Laghu, one Anudhrutam, and one Dhrutam ($| \, U \, O$). $$\text{Total beats} = 7 \, (\text{Laghu}) + 1 \, (\text{Anudhrutam}) + 2 \, (\text{Dhrutam}) = 10 \text{ matras}$$
• B. Rupak Taal: Formed by one Dhrutam followed by one Laghu ($O \, |$). $$\text{Total beats} = 2 \, (\text{Dhrutam}) + 7 \, (\text{Laghu}) = 9 \text{ matras}$$
• D. Ektaal: Contains a single Laghu ($|$). $$\text{Total beats} = 7 \text{ matras}$$

Step 2: Arrange the totals from largest to smallest.
Ordering these calculated values in descending sequence ($16 > 11 > 10 > 9 > 7$) produces the following sequence: Matha (E) \(\rightarrow\) Triput (C) \(\rightarrow\) Jhamp (A) \(\rightarrow\) Rupak (B) \(\rightarrow\) Ektaal (D). This matches option (1).