The Mridangam at Raja Khariar.

The temple in the front of the balcony was just one of the charms of this village town, as I found out soon as I stepped out into the streets.

Khariar had had a flourishing trade in brass-ware  before Plastic economy overtook the people's mind-space.
Still, this lady of the house waits for customers, with the wares made by her husband in their showroom-cum-residence-cum-workshop.

Then, I met this interesting gentleman with an interesting name and an interesting livelihood. 
Maghseer- named after the month of "maagseer" starting 22 November in the Hindu calendar- is a labourer in a farm.
He works the fields during the day, guards them during the night.
And.. he also makes drums for a living...

The resonating chamber is essentially a clay pot, which is wrapped by colourful threads. 
Here is Maghseer, preparing the drum's face, sitting in the courtyard of his house..

and, the drum he is working on is... the traditional Mridangam- made from clay- not wood.