Shyamala Miss turned to the blackboard and wrote:
“ Angas or parts of a Thaalam — Laghu — symbol is ‘I’ (varies in number and is of five types). Dhrutham — symbol is ‘0’ (has a duration of two counts or akshara ). Anudhrutham — symbol is ‘U’ (has a duration of one count or akshara )
“ Laghu can be of five different types, which brings us back to the original numbers on the board. Can you all clap three times — 1… 2… 3…?” Saying so, she clapped. The class followed suit.
One, two, three…
“Now, replace 123 with the Konnakol Jaathis — Tha-Ki-Ta.”
Tha – 1, Ki – 2 and Ta – 3. Tha-ki-ta is equal to the three cycles, which has the Sanskrit name, ‘ Thisra ’ or ‘ Thisram ’.
“ Thisra – 3. Hence, when the counting number of the Laghu is three, we say that it is ‘ Thisra Jaathi Laghu ’,” she continued. “Likewise, Chathurasra – 4. When the counting number is four, it is called ‘ Chathurasra ’ — Chathurasra Jaathi Laghu .”
“Can we count four times, children? 1… 2… 3… 4… followed by the Jaathis – Tha-Ka-Dhi-Mi.” The children gleefully clapped and recited.
“When the count is five, it is Kanta — Tha-Ka-Tha-Ki-Ta.”
“Sounds like the gallop of a horse to me,” Mukundh quipped.
“Quite true,” said the teacher. “Now, Tha-Ki-Ta-Tha-Ka-Dhi-Mi goes the Misra Jaathi Laghu . Misra – 7.”
“And finally, Tha-Ka-Tha-Ki-Ta-Tha-Ka-Dhi-Mi, when it is called the Sankeerna Jaathi Laghu . Sankeerna – 9.”
“Phew! That was mind-boggling, though interesting,” said Rasa.
“Wait, this is only one part of Thaala that we have discussed. Next, we have to learn about the seven different types of Thaalas . But that is for another time. Remember all that we did today and clap in rhythm while uttering the Jaathis . Happy counting.”
As Shyamala Miss left the class, the kids' minds were full of numbers, jaathis and claps.
