Indian Drum - this is a type of Mridangam drum. The pieces of wood between the leather braces and the striped shell are used to assist the tuning. The playing requires great skill, with the wrist, flat of the hand and fingers all employed to produce different sounds. The origin of the Mridangam is popularly ascribed to the God Mahadeo (Shiva), and is thought to be the most ancient of the Indian drums.