Tuning in Mrdanga

[uddhavadasa]

Hello,

I have just aquired a South Indian Mridanga and I need help with tuning the drum. What should be the tuning relationship between the two heads?
My drum already comes with a paste on the left hand (black color). Is it a modern way of not using the Rava (semolina) with water?

With Love,
Uddhava dāsa

[Nick H]

No, it is not modern --- it is sometimes seen on very, very old mridangams. Perhaps it is being reintroduced?

It is said that some of the great mridangists were as fussy about the sruti of the left hand as that of the right. However, I think the answer is that it should sound good, giving a deep resonant boom.

[cacm]

No, it is not modern --- it is sometimes seen on very, very old mridangams. Perhaps it is being reintroduced?

It is said that some of the great mridangists were as fussy about the sruti of the left hand as that of the right. However, I think the answer is that it should sound good, giving a deep resonant boom.

Palghat Raghu used to insist on REGULAR Cream of Whet as opposed to Instant cream of wheat & I had to sesarch for it for an hour in a remote place once in Sixties for more than an hour! He claimed the sound was different etc! VKV

[uddhavadasa]

So what about the notes in between the two heads? Should it be Sa-Pa, Sa-Ga?