Mridangam business increases in tune with Margazhi season

“Starting from November, till January, the sales and service at the shop will be more than usual. Once a mridangam is purchased, it has to be serviced frequently and the business is especially high during there months,” said A Arogyam, proprietor of Arogyam Mridangam.

The shop has around 300 mridangams of all sizes with each weighing between 6-10 kilograms. It takes almost five to seven days to service a mridangam and return it.

The instrument is made of wood from the jackfruit tree or golden shower tree. “We even have foreign customers during Margazhi. Once the instrument gets old, people buy a new one instead of servicing it. Though e-commerce is overpowering in the industry, we have many loyal customers who have been coming to us for generations,” said Arogyam.

“Hook and knife are the main tools used to make mridangam. The raw materials that form the base of the instrument are made of skin from cow, buffalo or goat, which are bought from Vyasarpadi. The hide is washed, stretched and dried for weeks after buying from the market. Later, they are soaked in water, which makes the skin soft and easy to use. The process is easier during summer because the skin dries fast and it decides the longevity of the instrument,” he added.

Every skin texture produces different shruthi. If the shruthi is not perfect the instrument will be a waste, Arogyam said.