Madhalam

The maddalam or madhalam (Malayalam: മദ്ദളം) is a drum made out of the wood of the jackfruit tree.

The maddalam is a heavy instrument which is hung around the waist of the person playing, and the player stands all the while to perform.

The maddalam is a vital instrument in traditional Kerala percussion ensembles like Panchavadyam, Keli and Kathakali orchestra.

[3] The name Madhalam is derived from the word Mardhalam which means 'one which receives pressure'.

[3] In ancient times Madhalam was played by suspending it from the neck of the player and later in the 1920s Madhalam maestro Venkichan Swamy changed the style to the way it was suspended from the waist of the player.