Glossary · glossary · 1 min read
Avartan
आवर्तन; one cycle of the taal
An avartan is one complete cycle of a taal, a repeating rhythmic cycle, from sam, the first beat, to just before the next sam. Compositions and improvised passages are measured in avartans.
By John, Music lover from Bangalore · Reviewed by BRR · Last reviewed 29 Sept 2026
Avartan
An avartan is one complete cycle of a taal, a repeating rhythmic cycle. It starts on sam, the first beat, and finishes on the beat just before the next sam. When sam comes round again, a new avartan begins. You may also see the word spelled avart.
The number of beats depends on the taal. Teentaal has 16 beats in one avartan, keherwa has eight, and rupak has seven. Each is one complete cycle, even though their lengths differ.
Where you will hear an avartan
In a composition, a musical phrase may stretch across two avartans, or complete cycles of a taal, a repeating rhythmic cycle. Improvised passages are measured in cycles too. A passage might fill one avartan, so the cycle gives you a way to follow its length.
The number of beats depends on the taal. Teentaal has 16 beats per avartan, while keherwa has eight and rupak has seven. Each is one complete cycle, even though the counts differ.
Keep going
- Taal for beginners: teentaal, keherwa and dadra with clap patterns · A taal is a repeating rhythmic cycle: count 16 beats for teentaal, eight for keherwa, and six for dadra. For teentaal, clap on 1, 5 and 13, wave on 9; for keherwa, clap on 1, wave on 5; for dadra, clap on 1, wave on 4.