Design Resource
Making of Mridangam, Bengaluru Karnataka
Musical Instrument of South India
by
Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Guna D
Tools and Materials
• Charcoal: Charcoal is one among the main ingredients used for preparing karane / syahi.
• Adhesive: Synthetic adhesive is mixed with karane and applied at the center of leather covering the drum.
• Neem Wood / Jackfruit Wood: It is used for making the body of the instrument mridangam.
• Compass: Compass is used for drawing the precise circle on the leather.
• Pen / Pencil: It is used for markings.
• Cutter: It is used for cutting the required leather and also to chop off the unnecessary leather.
• Water: Water is used for soaking the leather overnight.
• Limestone Powder: Limestone powder is added to water while soaking the leather in it overnight.
• Basalt: Basalt, a smooth stone used for rubbing karane every time it is dried completely.
• Hammer: Hammer is used for tightening the leather straps of the instruments.
• Small Wooden Bits: Small wooden bits used in making of Dayan drum for tuning purpose.
• Sticks: Sticks of approximately one centimeter is used for getting the precise pitch in the instruments.
• Castrol Oil: Castrol oil is used for making mridangam to ease the making process/purpose.
• Leather Straps or Rope: Leather straps are used for winding around the wooden body of the instruments to tighten the ends that helps in tuning.
• Goat/Buffalo Skin: To cover either side outer ring of the mridangam
• Sheep Skin: Used to cover inner ring of the mridangam.
• Manganese Dust: Manganese dust is the ingredient for preparing karane.
• Tamarind Juice: Tamarind juice is also one of the ingredients mixed with manganese dust for preparing karane.
• Cooked Rice: Cooked rice is the ingredient mixed for preparing karane.
