Spotlight

Mridangam: The double-sided drum

Mridangam: The double-sided drum

By Jagyaseni Chatterjee

The mridangam, a classical percussion instrument integral to South Indian music, has deep historical and cultural roots. This double-headed drum’s origin is often traced back to ancient India, where it was prominently used in various forms of art and religious ceremonies. The earliest references to the mridangam or similar instruments appear in Vedic texts and sculptures dating back over 2000 years. The mridangam, as depicted in Hindu mythology and iconography, is associated with divine figures such as Ganesa and Nandi, who are often depicted playing the instrument.

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