: one of the ancient traditional rhythmic patterns of South Asian music compare raga
plural tala or talas
: the basic monetary unit of Samoa see Money Table
Examples of tala in a Sentence
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John Check, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023
Both also share certain melodic modes and deviously subdivided rhythmic patterns or cycles — known, respectively, as ragas and talas — that sound distinctly different from each other.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Aug. 2023
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Noun
We are introduced to the building blocks of various music traditions, such as the raga and tala in Indian classical music.
—John Check, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023
Both also share certain melodic modes and deviously subdivided rhythmic patterns or cycles — known, respectively, as ragas and talas — that sound distinctly different from each other.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Aug. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Tala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tala. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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