Maddale

Yakshagana Maddale.

The maddale (Kannada: ಮದ್ದಲೆ) is a percussion instrument from Karnataka, India. It is the primary rhythmic accompaniment in a Yakshagana ensemble along with Chande. Maddale used in Yakshagana looks similar to Mridangam but is markedly different in structure, acustics, playing techniques and the rhythm system (Yakshagana Tala). Maddale uses the Yakshagana Tala system. Traditionall variety of Maddale is shorter and high pitched. Maddale is available in more than three different variations .

History

Maddale belongs to mridangam family of drums and hence shares the history of similar drums. Its drum head is similar to Tabla and the drum itself is similar to Pakhavaj. In fact one of the names of Pakhavaj is Mardal which is very similar to the name Maddale (Madala). Unlike Pakhavaj the bass drum head is not bigger and the playing techniques are different. Thus it is likely that Maddale is a variation of Pakhavaj and Mrudangam. Traditionall variety of Maddale was shorter and high pitched. Over the years, the Maddale evolved to be made of different kinds of wood and for lower octave, and today, its body is constructed from wood of the jackfruit tree among other woods like Kakke, Baine, Hunaalu. Its use has evolved with the development of Yakshagana and Yakshaganic fingering and hand techniques have been developed. Interesting use of palm produces a sound that is somewhat a mixture of Pakhawaj and Mridangam.

Physical components

Yakshagana Maddale Bala Muchchige.

Yakshagana Maddale Yeda Muchchige.

The Maddale is a double-sided drum whose body is usually made using a hollowed piece of jackfruit wood about half an inch thick. The two mouths or apertures of the drum are covered with a goat skin leather and laced to each other with leather straps around the circumference of drum. These straps are put into a state of high tension to stretch out the circular membranes on either side of the hull, allowing them to resonate when struck. These two membranes (drum heads) are same in width to allow for the production of bass from one and treble sound from the other. The drum head are known as "muchchige".

The bass drum head is known as the "eda muchchige" and the drum head is known as the "bala muchchige". The right drum head is similar to Tabla drum head. When struck, produces higher pitched sounds. The left drum head produces lower pitched bass sounds. The right drum head has a circular disk in the centre called "karne" causing the drum to produce hormonic tones. The left drum is smeared with a paste made from ash and rice called 'bona', before performance to dampen the tone and to produce bass sound.

Methods of use

Maddale is tuned to the tonic of the Yakshagana singer before performance. A wooden peg is sometimes used to tighten the leather straps.

See also

• Tabla
• Thavil
• Karatalas
• Chande
• Tala-Maddale
• Mridanga

External links

• Yakshagana Shruti Software