Mridangam

The mridangam (Sanskrit: मृदंगम्, मृदङ्गं, Tamil: மிருதங்கம், Telugu: మృదంగం, Kannada: :ಮೃದಂಗ, Malayalam: മൃദംഗം ) is a percussion instrument from India of ancient origin. It is the primary rhythmic accompaniment in a Carnatic music ensemble. Alternate spellings include "mrudangam", "mrdangam", "mrithangam", "miruthangam", and "mirudhangam".