The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c11.41

c11.41

Players upon the gatha display great dexterity, and often vary their performance by throwing the instrument up into the air and catching it again, beating it as they do so: this they keep up for almost any length of time. At the conclusion of the piece they let it fall into their hands (or upon the ground, so as to break with noise) at the exact conclusion of the measure (tâla), which they never for a moment lose.