In Indian classical music, the system of cyclical rhythmic organization maintained by the pair of drums known collectively as TABLĀ.

The concept of tala is similar to Western METER. How

ever, it differs in that the number of beats in one complete cycle (tal) can be 16 or more, and the cycle can last far longer than a measure. The tala system is taught by using vocalized syllables and hand gestures that can be incorporated into the performance itself.