To be able to learn music, especially Indian Classical music, faster, the best tool is your ear.
Listen as much as possible to music, preferrable graded artistes, and concert recordings.
Youtube, and the net is a good source, but there is nothing like live music concerts. You should
attend and listen live to concerts, not necessarily only to the most famous names, or those who
sing regularly for films, but if you look enough at the list of concerts, especially durin
the temple festivals etc., you will get enough exposure of very good samples of Carnatic concert
music. Initially when you start listening, do not be too analytical, and start thinking about the raga,
etc., - you should just let the sound sink in to your mind. Also, you dont have to beat the 'tala'
on the hands/palms. Some people think that this is the only 'correct' way of listening to music.
If tapping comes naturally to you, you can do it, but otherwise no. Also, if you tap with your palms,
make sure that you dont disturb other people around you, or worse still the performer.