Sacred Rhythm – The Mridanga Tradition
Sri Mridanga’s origins extend more than 5,000 years into Vedic antiquity. This sacred clay drum is the grandsire of the modern tabla, pakavaj, mridangam, dolak and others. Primarily employed as an instrument of kirtan and other sacred ritual, its system is a musical expression of the comprehensive philosophy and yogic mysticism of bhakti – the essential Vedic teaching. An obscured art, this tradition of Manoharshaya is now being taught systematically in the West for the first time.
TOPICS COVERED IN THE WORKSHOP
• Mridanga’s Vedic origins and tradition/sampradaya
• Vedic model of performance art in mridanga playing
• Elements of tala/rhythmic structure
• Lahara – tala/rhythm progression and composition
• Playing Mridanga in Kirtan
• Earning titles for proficiency
Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of mridanga’s historical and theoretical background, as well as proficiency in counting and playing fixed and improvisational compositions in tala for training or performance. Those who demonstrate a command of the material of this level of instruction can earn the title “Prabhakara”.
Schedule A Workshop in Your Area
If you are interested in organizing a mridanga workshop in your area (for children or adults) please get in touch.
Upcoming Events
Order Mridangas
To attend the workshop you must have your own mridanga. Please order yours here.
