Question

How do you define the term 'Tani - avartanam' and why is it so important in the domain of percussion instruments?

Hint:

Tani means alone and avartanam means one cycle. Say what the percussionists show in it.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question has two parts: define tani avartanam (1 mark) and explain its importance (1 mark).

Step 2: Define Tani Avartanam:
Avartanam means one cycle of the tala. Tani means alone. So tani avartanam is the solo played by the percussion artists, usually after the main item of the concert, while the main artist and the violinist keep the tala.
The mridangam artist starts, and then others such as the ghatam, kanjira and morsing join in turns and trade ideas. The solo ends with a korvai or a mohra that lands on the samam.

Step 3: Why it is important: for the percussionist:
It is the one chance in the concert for the percussion players to show their command of laya (rhythm), their calculations and their creativity.
It also tests the knowledge of tala, gati and jaati.

Step 4: Why it is important: for the concert:
It gives the main artist a short rest and adds variety to the concert.
It lets the audience enjoy pure rhythm, and the final korvai gives a strong ending to the main item.

Final Answer:
Tani avartanam is the percussion solo of a concert. It is important because it shows laya mastery and adds variety to the concert. \[ \boxed{\text{Tani avartanam defined; importance given}} \]