The poetry of rhythm
Dive into the magical world of the mridangam.
An instrument with a 2,000-year history.
1,500 years before Europeans set foot in North America, the mridangam was already an established fixture in Indian music, with mentions in classical texts and temple sculptures.
Its name bears witness to its origins of a body (“anga” in Sanskrit) made in clay (“mrid”) while its modern descendant is made of wood and animal hides.
Skilled artisans in interior Tamil Nadu, a state in South India, have mastered the techniques of making this fine instrument over generations.
As you watch Anjan play, note its barrel-shaped body, usually made from a single block of wood, with two distinct drumheads on either side.
The larger drumhead is the “thoppi” or “thoppi maddalam,” (“cap” in Tamil). It’s usually made from buffalo hide and produces deep bass sounds.
The smaller drumhead, called the “valanthalai” or “thoppi valanthalai,” is made from goat skin and produces higher-pitched sounds.
As the concert proceeds, listen for a wide range of tones and intricate rhythms designed to mimic the subtle nuances of the human voice, making it an expressive and dynamic accompaniment.
Can you spot the resonant bass, the sharp treble and delicate nuances of sound in between?
A Journey of Years
The mridangam takes years to master.
Students start with a guru, learning the most basic beats. As their skill increases, they progress to more complex rhythmic cycles (called “thaala”) and patterns, almost like fractals in musical form.
To become proficient, it’s absolutely key for students to improvise and adapt to different musical contexts.
They also memorize a vast repertoire of compositions and learn to intuitively accompany varied styles of musicians .
What To Listen For
The BEAT
Called “thaala”, the beat is the rhythmic framework of South Indian classical music.
The mridangist plays rhythmic patterns in various thaalas (time cycles), like Adi, Rupaka, and Misra Chapu Thaala, each with a unique number of beats and subdivisions.
THE INTERACTION
South Indian music is a medley of structured and improvised musical forms, all following a strict grammar of melodic patterns (called “ragas”) and beats (called “thaala”).
Every concert features a mix of structure and improv. A good mridangist synchronizes their play seamlessly with the mood and tone of the main artist.
can you see how the interaction flows?
THE SOLO
Every traditional concert features a solo piece by the percussionist. This is called the “thani avarthanam”.
This is the chance for the mridangist to display their skill. Listen for the combination of power and nuance, all within the boundaries of the specific “thaala” of the piece.
Enjoy the instrument that gives order, structure, grace and power to every musical performance; that signals auspiciousness everywhere it’s heard.
Welcome to the sound of the Mridangam!