Thekaठेका
The basic, defining bol (syllable) pattern of a taal, played on tabla.
The theka is what identifies a taal by ear — TeenTaal’s theka, for instance, is “Dha Dhin Dhin Dha / Dha Dhin Dhin Dha / Dha Tin Tin Ta / Ta Dhin Dhin Dha”. Variations and improvisation happen around the theka, but it’s the pattern a lehra or metronome-style accompaniment repeats.