How many beats (matras) are there in Dadra taal of Hindustani classical music?

Explanation

Dadra taal is a rhythmic cycle of 6 beats (matras), divided into two equal sections of 3 beats each (3 + 3). It is one of the most common taals used in light classical, semi-classical, folk and film music.

In Hindustani music, a taal is a cycle of beats that repeats throughout a composition. Each taal has a fixed number of beats, divided into sections (vibhags). Some sections are marked by a clap (tali), and some by a wave of the hand (khali, meaning empty). The first beat of the cycle is called the "sam", and it is the most important beat, where the musicians often end their phrases and improvisations. The basic pattern of syllables played on the tabla for a taal is called the "theka". The theka of Dadra is: Dha Dhi Na | Dha Ti Na. The first beat is the sam (marked with a clap), and the fourth beat is the khali.

Dadra taal is used especially for light and lively songs, such as dadras, thumris, ghazals, bhajans and folk songs. The "dadra" is also the name of a light classical vocal form, similar to the thumri, which is usually sung in this taal.

Some other important taals of Hindustani music are:

• Rupak: 7 beats (3 + 2 + 2), unusual because it begins with khali.
• Keherwa: 8 beats (4 + 4), very common in folk and film music.
• Jhaptaal: 10 beats (2 + 3 + 2 + 3).
• Ektaal: 12 beats.
• Teentaal (Trital): 16 beats (4 + 4 + 4 + 4), the most popular taal of Hindustani music.
• Chautaal: 12 beats, used in dhrupad.
• Dhamar: 14 beats, used in the dhamar style of singing.

Why not the other options?

• ✗7 is the number of beats in Rupak taal.
• ✗8 is the number of beats in Keherwa taal.
• ✗16 is the number of beats in Teentaal, the most common taal.