kaalam concept in chenda

"Kaalam" is a degree of geometric speed. A "Kalam" starts with an "Onnam Kaalam" or the first degree of geometric speed. Which is the "thalam"  or the basic rhythm throughout the percussion performance (melam). Once the "Onnam Kaalam" is practiced the students learn to exercise the "Randam Kaalam"  or the second degrees of geometric speed, then the "Muunaam Kaalam"  or the third degrees of geometric speed Then the "Naalam Kaalam" or the fourth degree of geometric speed and so on. Depending up on the practice and experience a Chenda performer can perform in 7, 8, 9 or even 10 "Kaalam".


If a performer starts with a 3 beat and completes these beats in 4 seconds (geometric speed), it is called an "Onnam Kaalam"  of 3 beats. So the "Randam Kaalam" beats would be multiple of "Onnam Kaalam", 6 beats completed in 4 seconds. "Muunaam Kaalam" would be multiple of "Randam Kaalam", 12 beats completed in 4 seconds, "Naalam Kaalam"  would be 24 beats completed in 4 seconds and so on. Similarly if the performer starts with 4 beats and completes the beats in 4 seconds, then "Randam Kaalam" beats would be multiple of "Onnam Kaalam", 8 beats completed in 4 seconds, "Muunaam Kaalam" would be multiple of "Randam Kaalam", 16 beats completed in 4 seconds. If the performer starts with the same 4 beats and completes the beats in 2 seconds, then "Randam Kaalam" would be 8 beats and should be completed in 2 seconds, "Muunaam Kaalam" would be 16 beats and should be completed in 2 seconds.
The time to complete one "Kaalam" is called the "Thalavattam"  and the "Onnam Kaalam"  is called the "thalam" or the basic rhythm of the whole percussion performance.