Description: The khol (as you see in the photograph) is a percussion instrument in whom belongs to the Indigenous inhabitants of Manipuur, located at the most North Eastern tip of India, geographically borders with China and Myanmar (Burma). Somtimes the khol is refered to as the "Mrdangam of the East". The khol is constructed in a similar manner to the mrdangam. You can see on the left side or "bottom" side of the khol is wider in diameter and circumfrance to the narrow counterpart on the right side in who is also applied with an iron or ferrous paste (to amplify the sound and perfect keep the khol in tune). There is a similar paste on the bottom though clay or flour based not sure of what the actual substance is. A similar method to tuning the khol would be comparable to tuning the mrdangam.
Description of the Mrdangam: The Mrdangam is a double headed percussion instrument found all over India although in Northern India the mrdangam is referred to as a "pakavaj". its origins are with in the ancient scriptures, mythology in ancient Hinduism. In Hindu texts the mrdangam is often mentioned in depictions as the choice instrument of Ganesha (the remover of obstacles), and other deities. The name mrdangam is derived from two words "Mrd" in which means "clay of the earth" and "ang" which means "body". Since the last half of the 20th century the mrdangam has gone through many innovation with in Carnatic and Indian music in particular. Through many different (Garana's) or "schools". These primary schools involved in the innovation of this instrument are the "Puddukottai school", "Thanjavur school".
Playing technique: There are two tones with the mrdangam a' trouble and a' bass during performance. During performance the musicians like their tabla player counter parts are often sitting cross-legged. If the Mrdangam-artist is right handed the cross-legged position is with the right leg underneath the left. In vice versa if the mrdangam artist is left handed the playing position is opposite from the right handed players. The two main pitches of the mrdangam are called "im" and "chaapu". In whom three fingers of both hands are used to play complex patterns, cycles and rhythms.
The Pung: The "pung" is a double headed drum in who is a very close relative of the "Mrdangam". The pung is a drum and is found through out many different villages through out. The role of the pung is one of the main instruments in performing a complex set of devotional repertoire called "Kirtan".
The Khol: The khol (as you see in the photograph) is a percussion instrument in whom belongs to the Indigenous inhabitants of Manipuur. Somtimes the khol is refered to as the "Mrdangam of the East". The khol is constructed in a similar manner to the mrdangam. You can see on the left side or "bottom" side of the khol is wider in diameter and circumfrance to the narrow counterpart on the right side in who is also applied with an iron or ferrous paste (to amplify the sound and perfect keep the khol in tune). There is a similar paste on the bottom though clay or flour based not sure of what the actual substance is. A similar method to tuning the khol would be comparable to tuning the mrdangam.
Construction: The body of the mrdangam is constructed from the wood of the jackfruit tree. The two heads have animal hide skin in whom is also applied with a paste made from rice and water is used on the animal hide.
Tuning the Mrdangam: Sometimes a wooden peg is placed in-between the stone and the mrdangam during the tuning procedure. This is to ensure that the force is exerted at precisely the point to where it is needed. Striking the periphery of the right membrane in the direction towards the hull raises the pitch. However striking the periphery from the opposite side moving away from the hull will lower the pitch in tuning the mrdangam. The musician and or instrument maker tunes the instrument by tightening or loosening the straps of hide in who are attached to the drum. The mrdangam is tuned either with the aid of a tampura, harmonium, shruti or pitch pipe.
Many of the known Mrdangam: Some of the known players are many including Trichy Sankaran, who is a well known percussionist for having collaborated with jazz artists, including my teacher Randy Raine Reusch (on stage), amongst many others like > Rajna Swaminathan she is considered one of the youngest and is the only female mrdangam players so far.