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For beginners, some of the best **mridangams** include: 1. **Bharat Mridangam** - Affordable and durable, ideal for learning. 2. **Vijay Mridangam** - Good quality with balanced sound. 3. **Mysore Style Mridangam** - Lightweight and user-friendly. These options provide a good sound quality and are easier to handle for new learners.

The **mridangam** and **thavil** are both South Indian percussion instruments, but they differ in several ways: 1. **Shape and Construction**: The mridangam is barrel-shaped and made of wood, while the thavil is cylindrical and often made from a single piece of wood. 2. **Playing Technique**: The mridangam is played with both hands, using finger techniques for different sounds. The thavil is played with sticks (called "vadis") on one end and is often used in traditional temple music. 3. **Sound**: The mridangam produces a softer, nuanced sound suitable for classical music, whereas the thavil has a louder, more resonant tone, often used in festivals and processions.