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Watch Palakkad MuraliKrishnan perform a complete solo concert on Amrithangam® and experience its authentic tone, resonance, and performance capabilities.
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Inspired by Tradition. Created for the Future.
Every innovation begins with a challenge. Amrithangam was born from decades of performance experience and a simple question…
As a performing Mridangam artist, I experienced the same challenge faced by countless percussionists around the world. Every concert, every festival, and every tour demanded carrying multiple heavy Mridangams to accommodate different pitch requirements. While the traditional instrument remains a masterpiece of Indian craftsmanship, transporting several instruments for a single performance had become an unavoidable burden.
The Need Was Real
Heavy to Travel
Traditional Mridangams weigh between 8–12 kg, making long-distance travel physically demanding.
Multiple Pitch Requirements
Professional musicians often carry 4–7 Mridangams to perform comfortably in different concert pitch ranges.
International Performances
Airline baggage limits and overseas travel make transporting multiple instruments extremely difficult.
A Different Question Changed Everything
Instead of asking how to make another Mridangam, I asked a different question:
"Can we preserve the soul of the traditional Mridangam while eliminating the difficulties faced by today's musicians?"
That single question became the foundation of Amrithangam.
The Beginning of Amrithangam
Amrithangam was never created to replace tradition. It was created to respect it.Every design decision—from the lightweight resonating body to the modular construction and precision tuning system—was guided by one purpose:
To preserve the authentic sound of the traditional Mridangam while making it more practical for the modern performing artist.
A Patented Innovation. Inspired by Tradition. Designed for Musicians.
The Divine Origin of the Mridangam
Where Rhythm First Became Sacred
"Long before it became a concert instrument, the Mridangam was revered as a divine instrument of rhythm."
According to ancient Hindu tradition, the origins of the Mridangam are deeply connected with Lord Shiva, the cosmic dancer, and Nandikeshwara, his devoted companion and the first master of rhythm.It is believed that during one of Shiva's magnificent Tāṇḍava performances on Mount Kailasa, the entire celestial world gathered in devotion. Divine musicians filled the atmosphere with sacred melodies—Veena echoed through the heavens, bamboo flutes carried gentle notes across the mountains, while celestial voices praised the Lord.At the heart of this divine orchestra stood Nandikeshwara, playing the Mridangam in perfect harmony with Shiva's cosmic dance. As the dance reached its most powerful expression, Lord Vishnu expressed his desire to accompany Shiva himself.With deep reverence, Nandikeshwara offered the Mridangam to Lord Vishnu. Vishnu accepted the instrument and played in perfect synchrony with Shiva's Tāṇḍava, filling Kailasa with a rhythm that symbolised balance between creation, preservation and transformation.According to tradition, it was after this sacred moment that Vishnu lovingly honoured Nandi with the title "Nandikeshwara", recognising him as the eternal guardian of rhythm and percussion.This story continues to inspire generations of Mridangam artists, reminding us that rhythm is not merely music—it is devotion.
From Earth to Wood
The Evolution of an Ancient Instrument
"Every great instrument evolves. The Mridangam is no exception."
The word Mridangam itself reveals its earliest form.The Sanskrit word combines two ancient roots:Mrid — Earth or ClayAnga — Body or StructureThis suggests that the earliest Mridangams were believed to have been crafted with clay bodies, while natural animal skin formed both playing surfaces.These clay-bodied instruments would have possessed extraordinary tonal warmth and resonance. Unfortunately, none of these original instruments have survived, leaving their sound to history and imagination.As music gradually moved from temples into public performances, practical challenges emerged.Clay was heavy.Clay was fragile.Moisture easily damaged the instrument.Long-distance transportation became nearly impossible.To overcome these limitations, artisans gradually replaced the clay body with carefully seasoned hardwoods.Jackfruit wood became the most widely used material, while the sacred Indian Laburnum (Kanikonna) was regarded as the finest choice by master craftsmen because of its exceptional tonal richness.This single transition transformed the Mridangam from a delicate ritual instrument into a durable concert companion while preserving its traditional voice.
But The Evolution Never Stopped
Innovation Through Every Generation
"Long before it became a concert instrument, the Mridangam was revered as a divine instrument of rhythm."
Although the wooden body solved many problems, musicians still faced another challenge.For centuries, both drum heads were tensioned using traditional leather straps.This remained unchanged until modern hardware gradually introduced nut-and-bolt tuning systems, allowing more accurate tuning and easier maintenance.In recent decades, synthetic drum heads also appeared, inspired by modern percussion instruments.While these developments improved convenience, many artists—including myself—felt that something essential was being lost.The authentic tonal character and living response of the traditional Mridangam remained irreplaceable.The challenge was no longer about replacing tradition.It was about preserving it.
The Question That Changed Everything
Where Rhythm First Became Sacred
Introducing AMRITHANGAM®
The Tradition Continues. The Limitations End.
Amrithangam® is not just another Mridangam.
It is the result of decades of performance experience, continuous refinement, and a single vision—to preserve the authentic soul of the traditional Mridangam while eliminating the practical challenges faced by today's musicians.
The Real Quality of Amrithangam
Every element of Amrithangam has been designed with one purpose—to deliver the authentic sound of a traditional Mridangam with greater comfort, durability, and freedom for modern performers.
Ultra Lightweight
Weighing approximately 4.25 kg, Amrithangam is significantly lighter than a conventional Mridangam, making long-distance travel effortless without compromising tonal richness.
Precision Tuning System
The advanced stainless-steel tuning mechanism enables quick, accurate, and highly stable tuning while maintaining excellent pitch consistency across different climates.
Modular 3-Piece Construction
The instrument is built with a precision-engineered three-piece structure, allowing easier transportation, simplified maintenance, and future servicing without affecting its acoustic integrity.
Authentic Traditional Tone
Every component has been carefully engineered to retain the warmth, depth, resonance, and dynamic response expected from a traditional concert-grade Mridangam.
Travel Friendly
Designed specifically for performing artists, Amrithangam is compact, airline-friendly, and easy to carry—ideal for concerts, festivals, international tours, and daily practice.
Built for Generations
Premium materials, precision craftsmanship, and corrosion-resistant hardware ensure long-term reliability, structural stability, and consistent performance for years of professional use.
Original Photos Gallery
Male Shruthi Amrithangam®
Designed for Lower Pitch Performances
Engineered to deliver deep resonance, balanced projection, and authentic tonal richness for lower concert pitch requirements.
Built for artists performing in lower pitch ranges while preserving the authentic concert-grade Mridangam tone.
Rich. Powerful. Balanced.
Adjustable Pitch Range:
A • A♯ • B • C • C♯ • D • D♯ • E
Female Shruthi Amrithangam®
Designed for Higher Pitch Performances
Optimized to produce brilliant clarity, excellent response, and traditional tonal character across higher concert pitch requirements.Optimized to produce brilliant clarity, excellent response, and traditional tonal character across higher concert pitch requirements.
Designed for higher pitch performances with outstanding tonal clarity and traditional resonance.
Bright. Clear. Responsive.
Adjustable Pitch Range:
F • F♯ • G • G♯ • A • A♯ • B • C
"Amrithangam® is where tradition meets innovation—preserving the timeless soul of the Mridangam while redefining comfort, portability, and performance for the modern musician."
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