In the vibrant heart of Southern India, a region where the thundering beats of percussion instruments have historically set the pace for an array of musical genres, a remarkable fusion of art and tradition is unfolding. Musicians here are not merely focused on producing captivating sounds but are also revolutionizing the visual appeal of their instruments. Among these paths of innovation, the mridangam, a central pillar in Carnatic music, has emerged as a unique canvas for artists’ creativity. Mridangists are now transforming their percussion instruments into vibrant artworks, a practice inspired by the shift from classic leather-strap mridangams to modern variants now constructed with nuts and bolts. This transition left the wooden body of the mridangam bare, thus sparking an artistic renaissance among musicians eager to explore new aesthetic possibilities.
One of the pioneers of this inventive journey is Patri Satish Kumar, a seasoned virtuoso who introduced the world to the concept of the ‘designer mridangam’. Inspired by his intent to honor the instrument that shaped his musical identity, Satish Kumar adorned the mridangam’s surface with intricate carvings akin to those seen on traditional Hindustani instruments. Over the past decade, his efforts have led to a heightened interest among fellow artistes such as Jayachandra Rao, Vinod Shyam Anoor, and Nandan Kashyap, who have embraced a similar path.
Satish Kumar’s creations draw inspiration from an array of traditional art forms across India. The soul of his designs intersects with the cultural depictions found in Warli art from Maharashtra, Madhubani paintings from Bihar, Kalighat paintings from West Bengal, Patachitra from Odisha, and Kerala murals. These designs are skillfully crafted by adept artisans from diverse regions like Thanjavur, Palani, Pune, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Kerala, and Mangaluru, emphasizing the diverse tapestry of India’s artistic heritage. Encountering the challenge of working on the curved surface of a drum, these artisans have succeeded in executing every detail with meticulous precision.
To date, Satish Kumar has beautified over 50 mridangams, each a testament to his vision and painstaking dedication. His first design concept found influence in the African drum, echoing divine symbols such as the conch, trishul, and damaru, alongside geometric figures, lending a unique identity to every piece. These symbolic representations, carved with precision, are brought to life with earth-toned natural polishes of brown, black, and gold.
.
But the artistic journey did not halt at carvings. Further elevations were achieved through 3D carvings of floral patterns reminiscent of ancient temple pillars. This artistic trail was taken up by other mridangists like Jayachandra Rao, who introduced graphic prints and painted themes of nature, divinity, and societal reflections on each of his ten mridangams. Collaborating with a hearing-impaired artist from Andhra Pradesh, Jayachandra cultivated a new language of visual discourse through note exchanges, resulting in artworks that not only decorate but also narrate philosophical stories.
In a similar vein, artist Praveen Sparsh, driven by abstract artistry, brought color and symbolism to his mridangam collection. Named after significant individuals in his life, his instruments bear visuals representing personal relationships and musical influences. Praveen’s approach towards integrating themes into his art, like the trance state portrayed in his 2018 music video, marries sound and sight in a narrative experience that resonates strongly with audiences worldwide.
The resonant beats of these artistically transformed mridangams have been met with enthusiastic responses from audiences, inspiring a deeper exploration into their visual and acoustic facets. In a memorable London performance, a listener attested to experiencing the transcendent power of rhythmic beats through a painted mridangam depicting Shiva. The visually decorated instruments not only captivate onlookers but fuel further artistic exploration amongst musicians seeking new inspiration.
This transformative trend extends beyond the percussionists’ communities, with luminaries like Umayalpuram Sivaraman, T.V. Gopalakrishnan, and Karaikudi Mani praising these initiatives. They acknowledge how the integration of visual artistry complements the instrumental tradition, enriching the broader creative experience. Patri Satish Kumar and his devoted students continue to champion this inventive movement, heralding a new era where the mridangam emerges as more than an instrument, but as a vibrant tableau celebrating India’s rich cultural tapestry—ensuring every beat tells a visual story intertwined with tradition and innovation.
