|
|
|
|
|
The bass left
head is covered with two layers of skin and has a centre of boiled rice,
manganese fillings and water. The head played with the right is
smaller and is covered with three different skins. This too has a
centre of paste, which is permanent and is tuned to Sa. The tuning
is done in the same way as that of the pakhāvaj.In the hands of a
master, the mridangam is capable of producing quite as much subtlety and
excitement as the tablā and deserves to be better known in the west.
|
|
|
|
|
Chenda
:
This is a cylindrical drum, which is held upright and struck with two slender sticks. It has a very penetrating sound which carries over long distances. Used mainly in
Kerala, in south-west India, the chenda announces the start of the Kathakali dance dramas. During the performance itself, it creates many sound effects - from the gentle patter of rain to the roar of thunder.
|
|
|
|
Damru
:
A small hourglass shaped drum, to the waist of which is attached a leather thong. The damru is held in one hand and shaken so that the weighted thong strikes the two parchment or vellum heads which are stretched over hoops and tightened with
cords. A larger drum, similar in shape to the
damru, is the Udukku of south India.
|
 |
|
|
|
