The recited syllables, in turn, represent the sounds of the drum. The dance master, recites some of the syllable patterns aloud when a certain type of dance sequence known as tirmanam is performed in subsequent concert pieces. A Bharata Natyam dancer usually knows alarippus in three, four, five and seven beats respectively. These are known as swaras . Jatis are rhythmic patterns or compositions and comprise an arrangement of solfeggios in rhythmic patterns.
Indian melody conforms to certain modal types known as ragas .
Each raga has a particular scale, certain ornaments associated with its tones, traditional melodic phrases, various musical aesthetics, and emotional connotations which help to give it a unique character and mood of its own called raga bhava . Shabdam is often sung in a medley of ragas , known as ragamalika . This is the only instance where the syllables are sung rather than spoken. The text usually praises a king or a specific deity. The challenge here is for the dancer to keep a steady flow of gestures and mime to this densely compact text in seven beats.