The origins of the mridangam are deeply rooted in Indian mythology. According to legend, Lord Nandi—the divine attendant of Lord Shiva—was a master percussionist who played the mridangam during Shiva’s cosmic Taandav dance. Another myth suggests that the instrument was created to replicate the thunderous sound of Indra, the king of gods, as he travelled through the heavens on his elephant Airavata. Because of these divine associations, the mridangam is revered as the “Deva Vaadyam”, or the instrument of the gods.

Indian music exists in many forms—classical, folk, and popular—and is primarily represented by two classical systems: Hindustani music of North India and Carnatic music of South India. India’s vast cultural diversity has led to an equally rich variety of musical instruments, each shaped by regional traditions, languages, and performance practices.

Ancient texts classify musical instruments into four categories: Thatha (string), Avanaddha (membrane), Sushira (wind), and Ghana (solid). The mridangam belongs to the Avanaddha category and has been played for over 2,000 years. Traditionally made from a hollow wooden shell with stretched skins on both ends, it is renowned for its resonant buzzing tone and its central role in Carnatic music and classical dance. Mythology even suggests that the tabla was created by splitting the mridangam into two.