Mridangam Repair and Other Mridangam Aspects
Topic started by Rohan Krishnamurthy (@ pm533-26.dialip.mich.net) on Mon Jul 16 15:47:14 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.
As many of you may know, I am a 14 year old mridangist who is a student of Sri. Guruvayur Dorai. I have played extensively throughout the USA and India, for leading artists like N. Ravikiran, "Flute" Ramani, R. Vedavalli, and many more.
Though this is not the first topic of its kind created, I noticed nothing on mridangam has been discussed lately.
Responses:
- Old responses
- From: Nick H (UK) (@ nhaynes.adsl.wizards.co.uk)
on: Fri Oct 1 08:22:02 EDT 2004
1.Sit on backside on floor.
2. place feet on mridangam above centre line (yes, *feet* !-) ) or as comfortable.
3.Use a hook or tool to pull the 'strand' away from the body. Then get hand around it and tug.
4. Get hook under next strand.
5. Tug on hook as you prevent the last strand loosing it's tension.
6. repeat from 4.
That's how it is done, but showing would be a lot clearer than my description: I'll demonstrate for you any time.
- From: Nick H (UK) (@ nhaynes.adsl.wizards.co.uk)
on: Fri Oct 1 08:23:24 EDT 2004
I omitted to say that the mridangam should be standing upright on its left end. Obvious probably, but it is hard to know what is obvious with something like this!
- From: Kumaran Ravendradas (@ popl-cache-1.server.ntli.net)
on: Sun Oct 3 14:30:08 EDT 2004
*What is your opinion?*
Who do you think is the best mridangist alive today?? Tell us (really it should be me) your views!
- From: Nick H (UK) (@ nhaynes.adsl.wizards.co.uk)
on: Mon Oct 4 04:47:11 EDT 2004
I'm sure we've been there before!
Anyway; I just couldn't answer that question; it's not just that I don't have nearly enough experience or knowledge, it's also that I don't really like trying to rank people like that.
My very personal favourites, at this moment in time is easier: Trichy Sankaran, Guruvayor Dorai and TVG.
Did you get your vaar tightened?
- From: -K-umaran (@ popl-cache-1.server.ntli.net)
on: Mon Oct 4 09:46:18 EDT 2004
WELL i haven't had a chance to yet. Its a real real race against time considering navaratri is coming up and i have been booked for 7 programs already.
- From: Kumaran Ravendradas (@ popl-cache-1.server.ntli.net)
on: Thu Oct 14 13:34:03 EDT 2004
Samolina!
How much does one put on the mridangam and in what shape? Im one that believes the samolina applied should be flat and take up a high surface area on the thoppi. It gives the thoppi reverberating sound which reminds one of Mani Iyer's thoppi! What are your views?
- From: Nick H (UK) (@ nhaynes.adsl.wizards.co.uk)
on: Thu Oct 14 14:11:56 EDT 2004
It should be round and small! Imagine the skin virbating in 2 dimensions, cut through the centre. The ravai is supposed to make that vibration as even as possible to give true musical note.
There is stuff on the web about acoustics of Indian instruments but I have no understanding of the maths.
- From: Kumaran Ravendradas (@ popl-cache-1.server.ntli.net)
on: Fri Oct 15 12:44:51 EDT 2004
Oh and another thing.....
Where should one wet it?
On the skin or on the ravai itself....
- From: Nick H (UK) (@ nhaynes.adsl.wizards.co.uk)
on: Sat Oct 16 07:35:25 EDT 2004
If the ravai dries it will harden and loose flexibility. It must be flexible to give good sound.
- From: k.ravendradas (@ popl-cache-1.server.ntli.net)
on: Tue Oct 19 06:23:20 EDT 2004
Often when a mridangam is brand new the thoppi is often very high and tight. Is this normal? and is it normal for it lose this natural as it used over many concerts?
- From: k.ravendradas (@ popl-cache-1.server.ntli.net)
on: Tue Oct 19 06:28:51 EDT 2004
Often when a mridangam is brand new the thoppi is often very high and tight. Is this normal? and is it normal for it lose this natural tension as it used over many concerts?
- From: Nick H (UK) (@ nhaynes.adsl.wizards.co.uk)
on: Thu Oct 21 10:19:01 EDT 2004
KR... I was hoping that one of the more experienced players would answer, but THey're probably all busy playing navaratri programs.
My experience same as yours! Maybe it needs a little loosening (tuning with stone & stick, this got discussed earlier in this thread.
- From: Kumaran Ravendradas (@ popl-cache-1.server.ntli.net)
on: Wed Oct 27 05:26:38 EDT 2004
I have obtained the title Sangeetha Kalajothy!!!
(Nick send me a pic showing the amount of ravai you put on your thoppi)
- From: Kumaran Ravendradas (@ popl-cache-1.server.ntli.net)
on: Wed Oct 27 05:39:28 EDT 2004
Once one has put on the mridangam heads and they need to do fine tuning do they use a polished stone to reduce the pitch by rubbing it on the black part of right side?
- From: Nick H (UK) (@ nhaynes.adsl.wizards.co.uk)
on: Wed Oct 27 13:29:52 EDT 2004
Kumaran: you should find an excusae to spend time with my guruji! (I met your guruji at his house the other day, BTW).
The kind of fine-tuning that you are talking about is to make chapu and meetu exactly the same note.
A little black can be removed by EVER_SO_SLIGHTLY dampening it and scraping a little away. It can then be polished.
I've seen my guruji do this a number of times, but would be very reluctant to try it.
BTW I'm off back to India. I might have some mridangams for sale!
Oh, and I don't use ravai, I use TVG paste. But I'm always surprised at how little my guruji uses.
Maybe because he uses a lot of gamuka it keeps the skins loose, I don't know
- From: Nick H (UK) (@ nhaynes.adsl.wizards.co.uk)
on: Wed Oct 27 13:31:22 EDT 2004
Oh! Congratulations, but tell us more. Who awards Sangeetha Kalajothy?
- From: Kumaran Ravendradas (@ popl-cache-1.server.ntli.net)
on: Wed Oct 27 16:10:13 EDT 2004
the OFAAL award after one has done the Diploma exam. I passed with Distinction!!
TVG paste??? explain..... i am rather intrigued...
- From: Nick H (UK) (@ nhaynes.adsl.wizards.co.uk)
on: Thu Oct 28 00:49:26 EDT 2004
Well done! You have huge interest and dedication and play great. I'm sure you'll win a whole load more
- From: Kumaran Ravendradas (@ popl-cache-1.server.ntli.net)
on: Wed Nov 10 18:25:29 EST 2004
What is it that makes UKS' mridangams ring more than other kutchi mridangams. I got this from his album Garland of Rhythm.
- From: Nick-H (@ nhaynes.adsl.wizards.co.uk)
on: Thu Nov 11 06:31:16 EST 2004
His fingers!
- From: Kumaran Ravendradas (@ popl-cache-1.server.ntli.net)
on: Thu Nov 11 12:07:52 EST 2004
To be honest, I've played one of his types of mridangams. There is distinct difference in the sound my mridangam makes and his.
- From: SARMA DONEPUDI (@ apotex.apotex.ca)
on: Thu Dec 23 13:22:38
Hello everyone.
I am a percussionist, music critic and writer
As a mridangam player, the most common problem is the ripping of the graphite "karini" at the initial stages and even balance of the top head./
Is there a way to curtail this problem.
sarma donepudi
- From: manisha (@ 202.157.83.4)
on: Tue Jan 4 12:37:45 EST 2005
HI friends if you wanna
Largest Collection of Free Ringtones Latest
First Time In India Free Yahoo Photo Chat...
Hindi Songs Latest Commercials English Songs
Free Polyphonic Tones
Latest Hindi Songs
Latest English Songs
latest Remix and Pop Songs
Latest Video Songs
Free SMS
Just Visit http://www.masti4india.com
- From: Raju (@ 195.229.241.187)
on: Wed Jan 12 23:04:27 EST 2005
Nick,
Can you give me the exact composition of TVG paste please?
Tell your friend about this topic
Want to post a response?
Back to the Forum