The mridangam, a cornerstone of Indian classical music, especially in the Carnatic tradition, is a percussion instrument with a history as rich and deep as the culture from which it originates. Crafted from a single piece of jackfruit wood, its hollow body is covered on both ends with the skins of goats, cows, or buffaloes, held together by leather straps. This intricate assembly allows for the production of a wide range of sounds, from deep bass to sharp treble, making the mridangam an instrument of incredible versatility and depth.