Mrudanga

Mrudanga
Guru Kishore Pradhan playing the Mrudanga
Percussion instrument
Other namesKhola
Hornbostel–Sachs classification211.222.1
(Membranophone directly struck by hand)
More articles or information
Odissi music
This article is about the clay drum of Odisha. For a general article about the clay drum of Eastern India, see Khol. For the wooden drum of southern India, see Mridangam. For the wooden drum of Odisha, see Mardala.

Mrudanga (Odia: ମୃଦଙ୍ଗ, romanized: Mrudanga, Odia: [mrud̪ɔŋɡɔ] ⓘ), also known as Khola (Odia: ଖୋଳ, romanized: Khoḷa) is a classical percussive instrument native to the east Indian state of Odisha with a developed distinct traditional repertoire and technique.[1][2][3] It has been used alongside the Mardala in Odissi classical music from ancient times, which is a comparatively bass-heavy drum as opposed to the high-pitched Mrudanga.

The Mrudanga is used in a wide range of traditional art forms of Odisha, including Pala, Sankirtana (Odisi Kirtana), Odissi dance, Bhagabata Tungi, Radha Prema Lila, Ramalila, Krusnalila[4] and more.[5][6] The instrument is different from other instruments that have similar names (as opposed to the Mridangam, used in South Indian music) in the Indian subcontinent due to its unique construction, acoustic features and traditional playing technique.[7]

  1. ^ Parhi, Dr. Kirtan Narayan (2017). The Classicality of Odishi Music. India: Maxcurious Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 383. ISBN 9788193215128.
  2. ^ Patnaik, Kabichandra Dr. Kali Charan. A Glimpse into Orissan Music. Bhubaneswar, Odisha: Government of Orissa. p. 2.
  3. ^ Pani, Jiwan (2004). Back to the Roots : Essays on Performing Arts of India. New Delhi: Manohar. ISBN 8173045607.
  4. ^ Pani, Jeevan (2007). Performing Arts of Orissa. Kolkata: Prafulla Publication. ISBN 978-8190358880.
  5. ^ Vidyarthi, Nita (6 February 2014). "His own beat". The Hindu. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  6. ^ Rath, Shantanu Kumar. Mishra (ed.). "Odia Lokanatakaku Ganjamara Abadana" [Role of Ganjam in Odisha's performing art traditions]. Rangabhumi (in Odia). 9. Bhubaneswar: Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi, Department of Culture, Government of Odisha: 52–64.
  7. ^ Mohanty, Gopinath (August 2007). "Odissi - The Classical Music". Orissa Review. Culture Department, Government of Orissa: 108–111.