Keherwa is an eight-beat cycle (4 + 4) and one of the most common "light" taals in all of South Asian music. Its basic theka, Dha Ge Na Ti / Na Ka Dhi Na, is endlessly varied to suit folk, devotional and popular styles.
In the classical concert it appears in thumri, bhajan and lighter closing pieces; beyond it, Keherwa underpins a vast amount of folk and film song. Its steady, danceable pulse is instantly familiar.
Where weighty taals like Ek Taal carry austere khayal, Keherwa carries warmth and accessibility.