namahatta.org - Congregational Development Ministry

Sita-pati demonstrates how to play guitar to accompany the Damodarastakam in 3/4 time.

The Vicenza Conservatory has a unique course on Indian Music in which many important musicians give seminars and master classes. From May 22nd to May 24th 2008 there has been a seminar on khol given by the famous Bablu Das from Godrumdvip (West Bengal)

Sita-pati demonstrates a simple melody for Damodarastakam in 3/4 time for the harmonium or other keyboard

The Vicenza Conservatory has a unique course on Indian Music in which many important musicians give seminars and master classes. From May 22nd to May 24th 2008 there has been a seminar on khol given by the famous Bablu Das from Godrumdvip (West Bengal)

Sita-pati demonstrates how to play the mrdanga for the 3/4 time version of Damodarastakam. e tete tete ta e ki ki te dha dha e dha dha te dha dha e dha dha te dha dha

The Vicenza Conservatory has a unique course on Indian Music in which many important musicians give seminars and master classes. From May 22nd to May 24th 2008 there has been a seminar on khol given by the famous Bablu Das from Godrumdvip (West Bengal)

This is Vijay prabhu playing a dadra taal kirtan in Melbourne, Australia

Prahlad shows something on mrdanga

The Vicenza Conservatory has a unique course on Indian Music in which many important musicians give seminars and master classes. From May 22nd to May 24th 2008 there has been a seminar on khol given by the famous Bablu Das from Godrumdvip (West Bengal)

Sita-pati demonstrates a more complex melody for Damodarastakam in 3/4 time for the harmonium or other keyboard.

The Vicenza Conservatory has a unique course on Indian Music in which many important musicians give seminars and master classes. From May 22nd to May 24th 2008 there has been a seminar on khol given by the famous Bablu Das from Godrumdvip (West Bengal)

This demonstrates how the mrdanga and cartals go together.

The Vicenza Conservatory has a unique course on Indian Music in which many important musicians give seminars and master classes. From May 22nd to May 24th 2008 there has been a seminar on khol given by the famous Bablu Das from Godrumdvip (West Bengal)

Sita-pati and Prahlad demonstrate how to play the cartals for the Damodarastakam melody in 3/4 time.

Prahlad shows something on mrdanga

The Vicenza Conservatory has a unique course on Indian Music in which many important musicians give seminars and master classes. From May 22nd to May 24th 2008 there has been a seminar on khol given by the famous Bablu Das from Godrumdvip (West Bengal)

Lessons and instructions how to play vaisnava music (bhajan, kirtan)

Remo manufacture a number of different models of djembes, designed in conjunction with percussionists such as Paulo Mattioli. This is a review of the key-tuned djembe.

This drum is made of fiberglass, and is surprisingly manufactured in the good ole US of A.

This was on vina.cc in 2006. Does anyone know how true it is? If it is true, and it could well be, it's a powerful argument for mrdangas made with modern materials and technologies.

by Mahendra das
Dear Devotees, I am from India and have an export business where I ship out handicrafts, garments and all material related to devotional purposes to several temples. Also, I supply mrdangas to temples situated in the west.

There is no need of sending the artisan to U.S.A. better send our disciples from here and learn the art there. In this connection manufacturing the mrdanga shells as well as the skin work on it is very essential. If possible our men may learn how to make karatalas also. At Navadvipa, there are many artisans for this purpose.
The summary is that our men must learn these four things: doll making, mrdanga making, karatala making and if possible making saris.

Nitai posted a comment with some mrdanga beats written out in tab form for learning.

He asks: "Why hasn't it been done before?"

Actually, it has. My 2001 book "The Art and Science of Harinam Sankirtan Yajña" contains 50 beats all tabbed out for your learning pleasure.

As promised, here are some pictures of my wooden mrdanga produced in Peru.

These mrdangas are handcrafted by a Peruvian disciple of Srila B.A. Paramadvaiti Swami, Vivasvan das. He warps the wood by heating it and bending it.

Here is where the two halves of the drum are joined.

This is a photo of my homeboy Raivata das with Ratnabhusana prabhu, shot in New Dwaraka, Los Angeles, a few years ago.

Ratnabhusana prabhu is the devotee who makes the Balaram mrdangas. He made the yellow mrdanga that you see me playing on harinam and in kirtans. I picked it up from him when I passed through New Dwaraka in 2001, on the way to South America.

Australian singer, Carmella Baynie, whose first solo CD, Song to the Earth, was released to much critical acclaim throughout Australasia, is performing her latest album, Ashraya, in concert in Brisbane at 7pm, in the Ann St Presbyterian Church Hall, Saturday, 26th April 2008. She’s also presenting a Voice in Yoga Workshop the following day.

Amul from New Jersey, USA writes:

i just saw your video where you put silicon on the mrdanga head. I have a question about that. Does it dry smooth? i am asking because if you want to do the "woop woop" slide on the big side of the mrdanga, if its really rough then it wont be possible. please let me know, i am going to do this because this is such a problem, that black stuff just doesn't stay on sometimes!

Dandavats Amul,

That depends on how you do it, and what you use to do it.