Glossary · glossary · 1 min read
Tillana
தில்லானா; the Carnatic tarana
A tillana is a fast, rhythmic composition in Carnatic (South Indian classical) music, built mostly from syllables such as “tha dhim thaka”. It appears at the end of concerts or dance recitals, with a short passage of words in the charanam, the concluding section.
By John, Music lover from Bangalore · Reviewed by BRR · Last reviewed 29 Sept 2026
Tillana
A tillana is a Carnatic (South Indian classical) composition built mostly from syllables such as “tha dhim thaka”. It is fast and rhythmic, with a short passage of words in the charanam, the concluding section.
The syllable patterns are built to match the taal, the rhythmic cycle. This connection between syllables and rhythm makes the tillana a favourite for Bharatanatyam, a form of dance.
For examples, look for tillanas by Swati Tirunal and Lalgudi Jayaraman. Their tillanas are widely performed.
Where you will hear a tillana
You will hear a tillana, a fast, rhythmic composition in Carnatic (South Indian classical) music, at the end of a concert. It also appears at the end of a dance recital, so listen for it as the programme closes.
Its syllable patterns are built to match the taal, or rhythmic cycle. That makes the tillana a favourite for Bharatanatyam, a dance form where you may encounter it as well as on the concert stage.
For examples, look for tillanas by Swati Tirunal and Lalgudi Jayaraman. Their tillanas are widely performed, giving you two names to look for in a programme.
Keep going
- Pallavi, anupallavi and charanam: the three parts of a Carnatic song · In a typical kriti, the main composed song form of Carnatic (South Indian classical) music, the pallavi is the opening section that returns. The anupallavi is the second section, developing the opening, while the charanam is the concluding section and usually the longest.