---
url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/is-the-mridangam-related-to-the-pakhawaj'
title: 'Is the mridangam related to the pakhawaj?'
author:
  name: rajeevk
  url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/user/0f961cccc99524ed'
date: '2026-10-19T14:57:12+00:00'
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summary: 'Yes: the pakhawaj is a close relative of the mridangam, larger and played differently; the maddale and khol are also related drums.'
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  [  Help ](/en-gb/help)     Is the mridangam related to the pakhawaj?  

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# Is the mridangam related to the pakhawaj?

 Updated 19 October 2026

 Yes, the **pakhawaj** of Hindustani music is a close relative of the [mridangam](/instrument/mridangam). Darbar calls the mridangam its prototype and describes the pakhawaj as larger, with a different playing technique. The maddale of Yakshagana and the khol of Bengal are related double-headed drums, though the maddale differs in structure and acoustics from the Carnatic mridangam.



 

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