Is it a Guitar?
Is it a Drum?
Is it a Maraca?
Have you ever seen an instrument that is a string instrument and hand percussion at once?
No? Then you definitely haven’t seen one that is a string instrument and two hand percussion instrument at once.
What is it?
The Menmaiaattam, an innovative Indian instrument, is simultaneously two percussion instruments and a string instrument. This is a combination of two Tamil words- Menmai- sweet or gentle and Aattam- dance. It was envisioned to be a rhythmic accompaniment to the tribes of Southern India, during special dances in rituals and festivals. It is shaped like an hourglass and produces the distinctive thump, reminiscent of the Indian mridangam and the rhythmic rattle of a maraca on one side and the beautiful pizzicato of a guitar on the other.
The Origin
This unique instrument was created after a great deal of experimentation by Alankreta Prazhagan, a nine-year-old, for a school project on the fifth of October, 2024 . It was made in Tamil Nadu, India for the tribes of Southern India. Menmaiaattam’s design was inspired by the Damaru that Lord Shiva holds in his hand.
How is it made?
This eco-friendly instrument is made of recycled products. It consists of two coconut shells, glued back-to-back. Then, some pebbles are put into one half and it is covered with a plastic wrapper that keeps the pebbles in and serves as the skin of the drum. On the other half of the coconut, a few holes are made. After that, strings are put into them, and then wrapped around some screws to tune.
What is the science behind the sound?
On the maraca side, when the pebbles hit the plastic wrap, the plastic wrap vibrates and produces sound. When each string is plucked, the string vibrates more or less, depending on the tautness and thickness of the string. And when the drum side is tapped, the plastic wrap vibrates , depending on where you tap it and how hard you tap it.
How is it played?
The Menmaiaattam can be shaken for a sound like a maraca, be tapped on like a drum and can be plucked like a guitar.
Glossary
Pizzicato- the musical word for plucking noise
Mridangam- An Indian drum
That's the wonderful scientific part of August, who can combine art with science. Very much eager to see you playing it also.