Appreciating Carnatic Music !!

 

Vidaayaarri for Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman is over and today 18.5.2026 is Pushpa Pallakku.  There were 7 melodious renditions arranged by Sri Parthasarathi Swami Sabha for vidayaarri. In Carnatic music kutcheri, there often are rasikas more knowledgeable – the Connoisseurs !!

Here is an video slightly away from Vocal singing but associated with music !!  

People like me just listen to the rhythm trying to find out the keerthana or match with some music heard before – while the well-informed Rasikas -  wave or rotate their hand/fingers, clap, count and make appreciative gestures for   sangati, briga, neraval phrase, or rhythmic idea that impressed them.  

Here is an elderly person engaged, enjoying and appreciating the music – the yellow device seen here is likely just a digital tally counter, but the hand movement  is culturally recognizable in Carnatic concerts.  : https://youtube.com/shorts/sMQYhmyJFXY

A circular finger/hand motion often means: “Excellent!”; “That was a beautiful phrase”; “Bale!” / “Sabash!”; Appreciation of laya precision or melodic sophistication.  Experienced rasikas sometimes do this subtly instead of clapping during the flow of an alapana, neraval, or swara exchange. In some cases, musicians or devotees also use finger counters for: counting tala cycles, keeping track of repetitions   

The small dark rectangular area is likely the digital display, and the blue/black button is probably used to increment the count. It’s strapped around the finger with an  adjustable band. 

Those who know Carnatic music – enjoy the rendition  while gnana sooniyams !! like me – look around for other interesting occurrences

 

Regards – S Sampathkumar

18.5.2026