Resounding Mridangam

Resounding Mridangam explores the nuances of Mridangam, the majestic South-Indian drum, an inevitable accompaniment in Carnatic classical music. The book is a beautiful journey in time and history. It is designed for a wider readership comprising music students as their academic source at universities across the globe, performing musicians, followers of Indian & Western classical music, and anyone who wishes to gain interdisciplinary knowledge in music. Analysis of the physics of Mridangam would enthuse readers with a scientific bent of mind. It covers a comparative analysis of the various music genres to appreciate synergy and synthesis. The book also contains unheard vignettes of 200+ Mridangam masters.

The first two chapters set the book's tone wherein the readers are introduced to Indian Classical Music's spectacular world. These chapters cover the genesis and evolution of Indian classical music and dwell into the two major Indian music genres: the Carnatic and the Hindustani. The readers are given an overview of the Indian classical music instruments from the archaic to the contemporary ones.

Chapters 3 and 4 cover the history and evolution of Mridangam. The playing traditions (Bani) are narrated in great detail. These chapters will enrich the readers with the rich history and fine traditions of Mridangam playing.

Chapters 5 and 6 take the readers through the anatomy and physics behind Mridangam. The readers are given the scientific aspects of this instrument, which makes Mridangam a unique one among the other classical percussion instruments.

Chapter 7 takes the readers to the Tala systems (rhythmic frameworks) in Carnatic music. All Tala systems in Carnatic music are explained in detail, which would be of special interest to all music students.

The last chapter is a tribute to the great masters of Mridangam on whose guidance and contributions this instrument has evolved to be a ubiquitous part of the tradition of classical music. This chapter covers unheard vignettes of 217 Mridangam masters of great reputation who classical music lovers are revering. The chapter covers information that invokes the interest of all classes of readers.

Resounding Mridangam is an earnest endeavour chronicling the king of percussion instruments - the Mridangam. This book appeals to all music lovers to get a nuanced perspective of Mridangam and its fitment in the Indian Classical music milieu. It will serve as a definitive handbook of Mridangam.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Erickavu N. Sunil has been distinguished as an A-Grade Mridangam artiste, erudite knowledge disseminator, and the accomplished author of the celebrated title 'RESOUNDING MRIDANGAM'. His illustrious career has been punctuated by stellar collaborations with preeminent musicians and a profusion of prestigious awards and accolades adorning his journey. He has, moreover, graced eminent universities and academic institutes, delivering seminars, workshops, lecture demonstrations, and scholarly paper presentations as a vital part of the Faculty Development Program (FDP) and various academic initiatives aimed at fostering knowledge exchange on a global scale.

Prof Trichy Sankaran, the world-renowned percussion virtuoso, has written the foreword to this book.