Madal

Madal (Nepali: मादल) or maadal is a Nepalese folk musical instrument.[1] The madal is used mainly for rhythm-keeping in Nepalese folk music. It is very popular and widely used as a hand drum in Nepal. Madal consists of a cylindrical body with a slight bulge at its center and heads at both ends, one head larger than the other. It is usually played horizontally in a seated position, with both heads played simultaneously.

Madal
मादल  (Nepali)
Components of Madal
Percussion instrument
Classification Membranophone
Hornbostel–Sachs classification211.252.12
(membranophone--individual double-skin conical drum, both heads played)
Related instruments
Mridangam
Musicians

Madal is the national instrument, of Nepal. This typical Nepalese percussion instrument is the backbone of most Nepali folk music.[2] The well-known Nepali musician Ranjit Gazmer introduced this instrument to Bollywood music, when he started working under Rahul Dev Burman, and has used it in numerous Bollywood songs such as Hum Dono Do Premi and Kanchi Re Kanchi Re.[3] There is also a madal drum among certain Adivasi groups.

History and nomenclature

The madal originated in the Magar community of Nepal.[4]

The ancient name of madal is said to be originated from the word mardal (Nepali: मर्दल), which itself is derived from Mridung, a classical Indian instrument. In Palpa district of Nepal, it is known as rani madal (Nepali: रानी मादल, lit. 'queen madal'). In Kathmandu valley, it is known as Maga khi (Newar: मग खिँ), after Magar people in Nepalbhasa.[5]

Construction

Typically, a wooden log is carved so as to form a hollow cavity, called ghar (Nepali: घर). The heads of the drum are made of double-layered goat skins, and a black paste made of flour, iron filings, and egg is burned in to a circular area in the center of each head. This circle adds weight to the head and significantly alters the sound of the drum, giving it a bell-like quality. The heads are fixed to the body of the drum by leather strips running the length of the body, and an additional loose strip of leather which can be looped behind the performer's knees while playing [6]The larger and smaller heads are often referred to as male and female respectively.[7]

Similarities
Nepalese woman playing madal in a social gathering

Similar instruments called modal or mondal are found throughout the Central India and Bangladesh.[8]

See also

References
  1. "mādal · Grinnell College Musical Instrument Collection · Grinnell College Libraries". omeka-s.grinnell.edu. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  2. "Madal Folk Instrument of Nepal". ECS NEPAL. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  3. Gaekwad, Manish (2018-03-17). "R.D. Burman's percussionist Ranjit Gazmer is a symbol of the old days of Bollywood composition". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  4. Darnāla, Rāmaśaraṇa (2004). Nepālī bājā (1. saṃskaraṇa. ed.). Kāṭhamāḍauṃ: Ratna Pustaka Bhaṇḍāra. ISBN 99933-0-463-8.
  5. "मादल महात्म्य". nepalmag.com.np. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  6. "Nepalese Madal". Archived from the original on 2012-03-27. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
  7. Kan̐ḍela, Rāmaprasāda (2004). Nepālī lokabājā (Saṃskaraṇa. 1. ed.). Kāṭhamāḍauṃ: Nepālī Lokabājā Saṅgrahālaya. ISBN 99933-877-3-8.
  8. "What is Nepali Music?". Himal Southasian. 1993-11-01. Retrieved 2022-02-18.

Notes
  • Anmol, Amrita Priyamvada (2009). Encyclopaedia of Indian Musical Instruments, vols. 1 to 3 :, xxxvi, 720 p, 3 vols, figs, ISBN 9788126140770
  • L.S. Rajagopalan, L.S. in A. Purushothaman and A. Harindranath (eds) (2010). Temple Musical Instruments of Kerala. Sangeet Natak Akademi, xvi, 168 p, ISBN 8124605440
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