The Maddale (Kannada: ಮದ್ದಲೆ), also called Mrudanga (ಮೃದಂಗ) in North Canara, is a percussion instrument from Karnataka, India. It is the main rhythm instrument in a Yakshagana performance, along with the Chande. The Maddale can create a perfectly harmonic musical note (shruti swara) when struck anywhere on its surface. This is different from other instruments like the Mrudangam, Pakawaj, or Tabla, which cannot make a harmonic note (shruti) on all parts of their surfaces. Its drum head is similar to the Tabla, and its body is similar to the Pakhavaj.

Traditionally, the Maddale was 30 cm long and had an 8-inch drum head on the right side that made a louder sound. Today, most Maddales have a 6-6.5 inch wide right side, though some have a 7-inch wide one. The left side, which produces a deeper sound, is about one inch larger than the right. The Maddale comes in more than three different types. The version used in Yakshagana looks similar to the Mridangam but has major differences in structure, sound, playing methods, and rhythm system (Yakshagana Tala).

The Maddale’s body is made from jackfruit tree wood, as well as other woods like kakke, baine, and hunaalu.

History

The Maddale is part of the mridangam family and has a history that is similar. Over time, the Maddale changed to use different types of wood to produce higher pitches. It developed along with the growth of Yakshagana and its specific finger and hand techniques. Using the palm creates a sound that is a mix of pakhawaj and mridangam.

Construction

The maddale is a drum with two sides. Its body is usually made from a hollowed piece of jackfruit wood that is about 0.5 cm thick (thinner than the mrudangam). This body is called the goodu (or housing). The two open ends of the drum are covered with goat skin leather and tied together with leather straps around the edge of the drum. These straps are stretched tightly to hold the drum heads in place, allowing them to vibrate when struck. The drum head on the left side is slightly larger (bass side) and measures 0.9 inches. One side produces deep sounds (bass), and the other produces high sounds (treble). The drum head is called the muchchige.

The bass drum head is called the eda muchchige, and the other drum head is called the bala muchchige. The higher drum head is similar to a tabla drum head but creates a major difference in sound. The maddale makes tones when played on the rim and on the karne. The higher drum head has a round disk in the center called karne (the ink), which helps create harmonic tones. Before performances, the base drum is covered with a paste made from ash and rice called bona to reduce sound and produce a deep tone.

Methods of use

Maddale is adjusted to match the main note of the Yakshagana singer before a performance (known as lower shadja). A wooden peg is sometimes used to tighten the tensioning straps. The two main strokes are gumpu and chapu. Chapu involves striking the rim of the drum and is used for tuning. Gumpu involves striking the drum's surface to create a fuller, richer sound. The Kapala stroke is made by crossing the fingers over the drum's surface. It is a special stroke that blends the sounds of gumpu and chapu. Kapala produces a more musical sound compared to the chapu stroke on the mrudangam.