---
url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-the-black-spot-on-the-mridangam'
title: 'What is the black spot on the mridangam?'
author:
  name: rajeevk
  url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/user/fce96177fd193d3a'
date: '2026-10-19T14:56:24+00:00'
updated: '2026-10-19T22:08:43+00:00'
type: website
summary: "The black spot on a mridangam's treble head is mineral powder bound with rice, laid in many thin layers; it gives the head a definite pitch."
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  'image:alt': KalaSudha
---
 

 FAQ · Instruments & artforms

# What is the black spot on the mridangam?

 Updated 19 October 2026

 

The black spot on a **[mridangam](/en-gb/instrument/mridangam)** is a permanent load on the right, treble head, called soru, saadham or karanai in Tamil usage. Makers bind an iron-bearing mineral powder with cooked rice or rice flour and build it up in many thin layers; Wesleyan records up to 50. The load gives the head a definite pitch and a metallic timbre.



 

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## Related pages

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###  Instruments (1) 

- [   Mridangam The mridangam is the double-headed jackfruit-wood barrel drum of Carnatic music. Its treble and bass heads give the full range of strokes, from the open tha to…     ](/en-gb/instrument/mridangam)
 
  

 

 

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