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The Maddale (Kannada: ಮದ್ದಲೆ), also known as Mrudanga (ಮೃದಂಗ) in North Canara, is a percussion instrument from Karnataka, India. It serves as the primary rhythmic accompaniment in a Yakshagana ensemble, along with Chande. The maddale produces a perfectly hormonic tonic (shruti swara) when struck anywhere on its surface. This is in contrast to other instruments such as the Mrudangam, Pakawaj, or Tabla, which cannot produce the tonic (shruti) on all parts of their surfaces. Its drum head is similar to that of the tabla and its body is similar to that of the pakhavaj.
The traditional Maddale was 30 cm long and had an 8-inch drum head on the right side that produced a louder sound. Nowadays, a 6-6.5 inch wide right side Maddale is typically used, while a few using a 7-inch wide one. The left bass side is about one inch bigger than the right. The Maddale is available in more than three variants.[1] The Maddale used in Yakshagana looks similar to the mridangam, but differs significantly in structure, acoustics, playing techniques, and rhythm system (Yakshagana Tala).[2]
Its body is constructed from jackfruit tree wood among other woods such as kakke, baine, and hunaalu.