Miruthangam Flashcards
1
Q
What type of instrument is Miruthangam and what does it vitally accompany?
A
- Classical percussion instrument
- Vocal, instrumental + dance
2
Q
What does its name mean and where is this derived from?
A
- Clay body
- Derived from the fact that its original body was made of clay
3
Q
Body of Miruthangam:
A
- Scooped out of single block of wood (jackwood, redwood or margosa wood)
- Similar to 2 bottomless flowerpots joined at rims
- Skins fastened to leather braces and are stretched over the 2 heads
- Small cylindrical pieces (‘Pul’) placed between shell and braces to adjust pitch
4
Q
Layers of Miruthangam (names + what they are):
A
- Right head = Valanthalai (3 concentric layers of skin, innermost concealed from view)
- Innermost layer = Utkaraithattu
- Following layer = Vettuthattu/Meetuthol (calf skin)
- 3rd layer = Kottuthattu/Chapputhol (sheep skin)
5
Q
Describe what is it at the centre of Valanthalai and its role:
A
- Permanent fixature of black paste in circular manner (Soru/Karanai/Marundu)
- Consists of manganese dust, boiled rice + tamarind juice or fine iron filings
- Hand stone w/ polished surface is used so that paste is thickest at centre then thins out
- Gives fine characteristic tone of Miruthangam
6
Q
What is the left head known as, how many layers does it have, what is it made of and what is put on it at the beginning of a concert?
A
- Left head = Idanthalai/Thoppi
- 2 layers
- Outer layer = Buffalo skin, Inner layer = Sheep skin
- Paste of Suji (semolina) + water or boiled rice, water + ashes temporarily fixed at centre
- Removed at end of concert
7
Q
State lengths of part of Miruthangam:
A
- RH = 7 in, LH = 7 1/2 in
- Length of Miruthangam is about 2 ft
8
Q
Method of playing:
A
- 2 hands, wrists + fingertips
- Jati exercises first learnt vocally + practised on dummy instrument
- Preliminary beats + strokes practised on Miruthangam
- Powers of creation can be shown in solo performance called ‘Thani Avartanam’
