Question

Explain the term “Shadangas”.

Hint:

Shadangas are the six ancient tala components: Anudhrutam, Dhrutam, Laghu, Guru, Pluta, and Kakapada.

Answer 1

The term Shadangas refers to the six essential parts or limbs of a tala angas in Carnatic music, used in older rhythmic theory and still referenced in scholarly studies. The Six Angas (Shadangas):

Anudhrutam (U) – A single beat.
Dhrutam (O) – A beat followed by a wave (beat + turn).
Laghu (|) – A beat followed by finger counts (number varies with jaathi).
Guru (8) – Twice the duration of laghu; sometimes obsolete.
Pluta (8.) – Three times the duration of laghu; indicated by elongation.
Kakapada – Of indeterminate long duration, rarely used.
Purpose:

Used in ancient and theoretical talas (not commonly used in practice today).
Help understand the evolution and complexity of rhythmic cycles in Indian classical music.