Sreenath Sreenivasan performs a diminutive rhythmic phrase in the 8 beat cycle, Adi Thalum. The phrase takes the introductory rhythmic cell, Tha Din Gi Na Thom, and shows it with diminishing gaps between each Tha Din Gi Na Thom cell. A pdf. in western notation can be found at the bottom of the page. I would encourage any listeners to first learn this phrase by ear, with the recitation and clapping, then jump to the written notation.
Syllables to understand:
Ta Ka Di Mi Ta Ka Ju Nu – This can be thought of as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Tha Din Gi Na Thom – This is typically a 5 beat cell, but in this demonstration, gaps or beats are inserted between each syllable that lengthen the phrase.
Clapping Adi Thalum
Clap on beat 1. Press the pinky to the palm for beat two; the ring finger to the palm for beat 3; and the middle finger to the palm for beat 4. Clap on beat 5. Wave on beat 6. Clap on beat 7. Wave on beat 8.
Enjoy the video!
A Hybrid Approach to Jazz 