Tuning South Indian Mrdangam

[uddhavadasa]

Hello,

I have found a website that says that on the right head, the center and outer part of the Mrdangam (Nam and Din) should give the same pitch. Is this true?

Also, does anyone know if there is other option besides the black patch on the right head? Has it always been black?

With Love,
Uddhava dāsa

[Nick H]

Yes, and yes.

You need a mridangam teacher!

[uddhavadasa]

Hi Nick,

Thanks for your reply.

In Natya Sastra it is said that for the left side of the mrdanga one should earth from a riverbed. And if one cannot find that one can use wheat flour but the sound will be monotonous. Can someone please show me an example of the left side using earthen patch for tuning?

With Love,
Uddhava dāsa

[Nick H]

You will occasionally find an old instrument with a small black patch on the left side. It is not the current procedure.

[uddhavadasa]

I just tested using sand from the river nearby, and the sounds is incredibly better! I agree with Bharata that the sound of wheat flour is very monotonous.
In both cases, the tuning seems to change very quickly while using the Gumki sound. Is there any way to stabilize the pitch?

With Love,
Uddhava dāsa