Mrdangam

Unknown

20th century · Wood, leather, tuning paste · Musical Instruments

The mrdangam is a conical barrel-shaped drum with the larger head approximately one and a half times the size of the smaller head. The drum is typically tuned to the tonic of the music, with the larger head tuned an octave lower than the smaller head. The mrdangam is primarily found in South India, where it serves as a rhythmic accompaniment in Karnatak music.

Artist

Unknown

Date

20th century

Medium

Wood, leather, tuning paste

Culture

Indian

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Gift of Herbert J. Harris, 1986