It has been a tradition for Carnatic Music to start lessons in ragam Mayamalavagaula and we also follow the Sarali Varisai as the basic exercise / lesson.
The basic notes are:
Sa – Sadjamam represented as ‘S’
Ri – Rishabam represented as ‘R’
Ga – Gantharam represented as ‘G’
Ma – Madhyamam represented as ‘M’
Pa – Panchamam represented as ‘P’
dha- Dhaivatham represented as ‘D’
Ni – Nishadham represented as ‘N’
The basic thalam is Adi which is count of 8 beats per cycle represented with
– 1st beat by tapping the hand with fingers stretched and closed on the thigh.
– 2nd beat by tapping the hand with stress on the index finger
– 3rd beat by tapping the hand with stress on ring finger.
– 4th beat by tapping the hand with stress on Middle fingers.
– 5th beat by tapping the hand as for the first beat
– 6th beat by tapping in the open postion and having fingers together.
– 7th beat by tapping the hand as for the first beat
– 8th beat by tapping in the open postion and having fingers together.