A metronome that counts in taals
An ordinary metronome clicks every beat alike. Indian music counts in cycles, so this one marks them: sam, the cycle's first matra, with the highest click; each tali with a clear one; khali, the wave, with a low one; and the matras between them softly. Watch the ring to see where you are.
Each matra divided
Divide each matra in two, three or four, and the clicks between keep the subdivision: practise a phrase in two notes a matra, then three, then four. This is the start of layakari, playing in dugun, tigun and chaugun over the same taal.
When the clicks, when the tabla
Clicks are plain: they leave your ear free for your own playing, and they are easy to count against. The tabla gives the taal its character, its open and closed bols telling you, without counting, where in the cycle you are. Learn a piece with the clicks, then play it with the theka.
In the app the metronome can climb as you go: a few matras a minute faster every few cycles, up to the tempo you set. And it plays under your riyaz while Meend listens and times your practice.