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title: 'What are the schools of mridangam playing?'
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date: '2026-10-19T14:57:28+00:00'
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summary: 'The two main mridangam schools are Thanjavur, known for restraint and attention to sruti, and Pudukkottai, known for technique and complex patterns.'
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# What are the schools of mridangam playing?

 Updated 19 October 2026

 Sources name two principal schools of **[mridangam](/instrument/mridangam)** playing: Thanjavur and Pudukkottai. The Thanjavur style grew under the Maratha kings of Thanjavur and values restraint and close attention to sruti over display. The Pudukkottai school traces to Manpoondia Pillai, a thavil player, and is known for technique and complex rhythmic patterning shaped by thavil practice.



 

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