Dadra is a six-beat cycle divided into two vibhags of three (3 + 3). It is a "light" taal — the rhythmic home of semi-classical and romantic repertoire rather than the weighty khayal tradition.
Its theka, Dha Dhi Na / Dha Ti Na, has a rolling, song-like lilt. The light vocal genre also called dadra takes its name from this taal, and it shares territory with thumri, ghazal and bhajan.
Because it is short and flowing, Dadra invites expressive, conversational phrasing rather than the architectural development of the longer cycles.