6. The functions of music in Indain dance
Keeping time (tala) and uniting the participants is a basic need provided by music. Rhythm is of paramount interest in Indian music; listeners keep track of musical elements by using finger and hand gestures to physicalize the structure of the music.
Melody provides mood and, in the case of Indian music, indicates time of day, temperature, and season through the tonality of its ragas (similar to the west’s keys, major or minor modes). At music concerts and on occasion at dance recitals, one can see listeners using their hands in a system devised to keep track of the form of time specific to a piece of music.