Manav Sangrahalaya in continuation to its popular series of ‘Exhibit of the Month’ exhibits one specific object on the dais. In the same series for the month of July, 2015 the ‘Exhibit of the Month’ is “Mridang” double membrane drum used in Bundelkhand area was inaugurated jointly by Prof. Sarit K Chaudhuri (Director, IGRMS), Mr. Vasant Nirgune (Tagore Fellow and retired Survey Officer of Adivasi Lok Kala Parishad) and Joint Director, Mr. Arun Kumar Shrivastava today at Veethi Sankul, Manav Sangrahalaya.

Tied to the waist, Mridang is played by the musician using both hands and it is accompanied by other musical instruments- Timki,Majira, Algoja, Ramtula, Palita while performing folk dances such as Daiviya Bhakt, Holi ki faag, Diwari, Badhai, Rai etc.

Mridang also finds mention in mythological text and Indian epics- Ramayana and Mahabharata. Mridang is mentioned along with other musical instruments in Ravana’s musical hall Antapur, while Lord Hanuman was in search for Goddess Sita. Presence of Dhol in excavated relics of Barhat and Sanchi clearly indicates the prevalence of such musical instruments even 2000 years before.

Date: July 3, 2015