The first matra in Hindustani music’s tala system is called Sam. It marks the beginning of a taal cycle and serves as the most emphasized beat, where compositions typically start and return after completing rhythmic phrases.
Class 6 Arts Kriti-I Chapter 8 Taal or Talam and Raga or Ragam in Indian Music NCERT solutions
Class 6 Visual Arts Kriti-I Taal or Talam and Raga or Ragam in Indian Music question answer
In Hindustani classical music, the Sam is the first matra (beat) of a taal. It is the most emphasized beat and serves as the returning point for compositions. Artists often accentuate Sam while playing or singing, making it a significant point in rhythmic improvisations. The Sam helps maintain the cyclic nature of the taal and provides a structural anchor for musical compositions. Taal variations and improvisations frequently revolve around reaching back to Sam with precision.