Antara

What does antara mean?

An antara is a verse of a Hindi film song, or the second section of a Hindustani classical composition. It brings new words and a new melodic idea.

In a Hindi film song, that returning opening section is called the mukhda. The antara leads back into it. A film song typically has two or three antaras.

This is a short definition with one listening example. For the full explanation, read BeatRootRaga’s Mukhda and antara: how a film song is built.

Where can I read more about antara?

The teaching page looks at the antara, a verse with new words and melody, alongside the mukhda, the returning opening section of a Hindi film song. It explains how these sections fit together, rather than treating the verse on its own.

For more than this entry’s definition and example, follow the BeatRootRaga teaching page. It gives the full explanation and connects the film song pattern with its roots in Hindustani classical music.