madhalam

{{Short description|Unpitched percussion instrument}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}

{{More citations needed|date=January 2021}}

File:Drummer plying Madhalam BNC.jpg

File:Maddalam.jpg

The maddalam or madhalam (Malayalam: മദ്ദളം) is a drum made out of the wood of the jackfruit tree. It has two sides for playing, made out of leather, and has different kind of sounds on each side. The maddalam is a heavy instrument which is hung around the waist of the person playing, and the player stands all the while to perform. The maddalam is a vital instrument in traditional Kerala percussion ensembles like Panchavadyam, Keli and Kathakali orchestra.{{cite news |title=Melody on the maddalam |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/kalanilayam-babus-mastery-on-the-maddalam/article19923753.ece |access-date=31 August 2020 |newspaper=The Hindu}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/keeping-craft-alive-kerala-village-has-been-making-maddalam-mridangam-200-yrs-78533|title=Keeping craft alive: A Kerala village has been making maddalam, mridangam for 200 yrs|date=26 March 2018|website=The News Minute|access-date=19 April 2021}}

Except for the central projection, the Maddalam resembles a Mridangam in shape.{{Cite web|title=Shudda Maddalam - A percussion instrument|url=http://www.keralaculture.org/|access-date=2022-01-30|website=www.keralaculture.org|language=en}}