Mridangam
மிருதங்கம்
The two-headed drum at the centre of a Carnatic concert.
About the mridangam
The mridangam is a double-headed barrel drum, traditionally made from jackwood, with a bass head on the left and a tuned treble head on the right. The right head carries a black tuning paste, which gives it a clear, ringing note.
It is the principal rhythm instrument in Carnatic music and is tuned to match the performer's shruti, so the pitch of the drum matters as much as its build.
- Heard in
- Carnatic vocal and instrumental concerts, bharatanatyam, and devotional music.
- Who it suits
- Students beginning rhythm training, accompanists, and teachers.
