Mridangam has been given utmost impiortance in Hindu sculpture mythology. Many deities like Nandi and Ganesha have been shown with this instrument. It is being said that while lord Shiva was performing Tandava dance, Nandi was playing the mridangam. Perhaps, that why mridangam is also called as Deva Vaadyam that means instrument of the Gods. One unique feature of mridangam is that it can be played from both sides.

Smaller aperture is known as bala bhaaga or valanthalai and the bass aperture is called thoppi or eda bhaaga. The appealing metallic timbre gets its effect from black paste that is also known as karnai or satham. Mridangam is a must have instrument in all carnatic musical concerts.