Question

Briefly explain the construction & making of Mridangam.

Hint:

The right face of the Mridangam is meticulously tuned to match the exact tonic note (Shadjam) of the lead vocalist, ensuring perfect melodic harmony during the concert.

Answer 1

Step 1: Concept
The Mridangam is the premier double-sided percussion instrument of South India. Its construction is a highly skilled craft requiring precise acoustic woodwork and leather craftsmanship.

Step 2: The Wood Body (Katta)
- Material: The hollow barrel-shaped body of the drum is carved out of a single solid block of jackwood (Artocarpus heterophyllus) or occasionally redwood.
- Shape: The body is wider in the middle (the bulge) and tapers down to two unequal circular openings on both ends.

Step 3: Construction of the Two Heads
1. Valanthalai (Right Head - Treble):
- Composed of three concentric layers of skin: an outer ring of calf skin, a middle layer of goat skin, and an inner layer.
- Karanai (Black Patch): The center has a permanent black circular patch made from a paste of fine iron filings, manganese dust, boiled rice, and tamarind juice. This patch is polished to a fine finish, giving the right face its signature metallic, bell-like pitch. 2. Toppi (Left Head - Bass):
- Larger than the right face, made of a combination of buffalo and goat skins.
- Temporary Loading: It has no permanent black patch. Instead, right before a performance, a temporary paste of semolina (sooji) or boiled rice mixed with water is applied to the center to lower its pitch, producing a deep, rich bass sound.

Step 4: Lacing and Tuning Mechanism
The two heads are bound together and held under high tension by a continuous, strong leather strap (Var) woven through 16 holes on each face. Small wooden dowels and a heavy tuning hammer are used to adjust the strap tension to tune the drum to the exact pitch of the lead performer. Final Answer: The Mridangam is carved from a single hollowed block of jackwood. The right head features a permanent metallic black patch (Karanai) for treble tones, while the larger left head (Toppi) uses a temporary starch paste for deep bass, bound together by continuous leather straps (Var).