Bol Jati And Laya Jati Definitions And Notations

6th May, 2022

Kathak is one of the most intricate and ancient dance forms in India. It has three distinct forms called Gharanas based on the place or location they had evolved from. These are the Jaipur Gharana, Banaras Gharana, and Lucknow Gharana.

Jaipur Gharana was the name given to the Rajasthan Kathak style. As a result, the Jaipur Gharana encompasses this region's various pioneered descendent dance styles. It has a few distinct characteristics: jati, tala, laya rhythmic patterns, magic, courage, and impetus.

Bol Jati and Laya Jati in Kathak

The variety and complexity of long Parans (Lamchad Paran), rhythm purity, variety, and simplicity, to name a few. This Gharana has a distinct identity around the globe due to the embellishment of these features.

In terms of society, jati is a term that describes a person's caste based on their birth. However, in Kathak dance form, they are demonstrated by increasing or lowering the counts of Matras of specific Vibhaags or Khandas in any taal.

When measuring musical time, jati is the arrangement of syllables with the number of Matras. In measuring musical time, jati is the arrangement of syllables (Bols) against the number of beats (Matras).

The Five Main Varieties of Jati Are -

Tishra Jati: When three syllables are arranged in four Matras, it is called a Tishra.
- Beats or Notations: ta ki ta
Chatushra Jati: When four syllables are arranged in four Matras, the jati is called Chatushra.
- Beats or Notations: ta ka dhi mi
Khanda Jati: When five syllables are arranged in four Matras, it is called a khanda.
- Beats or Notations: ta ka ta ki ta
Mishra Jati: The jati is formed when seven syllables are arranged in four Matras.
- Beats or Notations: ta ka dhi mi ta ki ta
Sankeerna Jati: The jati is formed by putting nine syllables into four Matras.
- Beats or Notations: ta ka dhi mi ta ka ta ki ta

In Indian dance and music, these Pancha Jati refer to five different rhythm patterns: three, four, five, seven, and nine beat cycles. However, when mathematics and aesthetics are combined to create intricate tala patterns, a fascinating system of rhythm emerges. Learn how to overlay seven steps over eight beats or Pancha Jati on 16 beats, and witness the beauty that such combinations may produce.

The 7 Parent Talas -

Dhruva, Matya, Rupaka, Jhampa, Triputa, Ata, and Eka can incorporate any of the 5 Jatis, Tishra, Chatushra, Khanda, Mishra and Sankeerna.

Bol Jati

"Bol Jati'' and "Laya Jati" are segregated into two different types. Bol Jati is when the syllables of composition are organised according to the rules of a specific jati. Bols (in the Odiya language) are syllables used to create a tala. These Bols have no meaning, yet they approximate the mandala's sounds. The Maharis passed down the Bols to the Goti Puas, some of whom became Kathak dance Gurus.

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Laya Jati

On the other hand, Laya Jati occurs when the syllables of a composition defy the laws of their Jaati and instead follow the rhythm of another.

The speed or tempo at which a Tala is read or played on the mardala is called Laya. And the Bols (syllables) can be recited in three different ways. One can use Vilambit laya (slow tempo), Madhya laya (medium tempo), and Dhruta laya (fast tempo).

In a dancing number, the fundamental tala is usually kept the same, but the tempo for recitation is changed. While learning the basic dance moves set in the tribhangi and chauka stances, the notion of laya is introduced early in training. By doubling and redoubling the tempo in the recitation of the Bols, these dance moves are executed in three speeds or tempos. Laya Kriya is the name for this doubling or redoubling of speed.

What is Jaipur Gharana Kathak?

The Jaipur Gharana is the representative Gharana of the ancient Hindu Kathak dance technique, which did not emerge in a single-family location but rather reflects hundreds of Kathak dancer families distributed over Rajasthan.

The Jaipur Gharana was the style that blossomed under the patronage of Rajasthani patrons. Krishna devotee poets with a long tradition devoted significance to devotion in their Pada, Kavitt, and Chand under the patronage of Rajasthani monarchs.

These poets were musicians. Therefore their poems were rich in poetry bound by musical moods and sounds; kavitt, chand, and other dance words were used to portray divine emotions by Kathak dancers (Bhakti Shringaar).

As a result, dhrupad and bhajans are commonly used in their dances. On the other hand, for dances performed in the courts, the use of brave compositions and magical skill began. Rajasthani Kathak dancers experimented with different things to give this dance a unique flavour in all of these circumstances. For the past 50 decades, Jaipur Gharana has been known for its rhythmic enchantment.

Conclusion

We hope this article has offered you some insights on the Bol Jati and Laya Jati. If you want to enrol your child in online Kathak classes and are looking for the best instructor in Kathak for beginners, then KAFQa Academy can do a fine job.

Kafqa Academy is an amazing platform that offers Jaipur Gharana Kathak for beginners. Children who are interested in learning more about rhythms in Kathak dance and music would surely get benefitted from the assistance of experienced instructors at KAFQA Academy.

If you want to master Kathak, keep practising, and you will eventually excel as a dancer. Because poses, expressions, grace, hand, eye, and body movements, as well as footwork, are all highlighted in Kathak. This makes your body appear younger, helps you lose weight, and adds excitement to your life.

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