Quote Originally Posted by viggop
he said to a right handed mridangam player, left side is called "thoppi" and right side is called "sadham".

I have heard "Dimiki kudukarathu" in Tamil for cheating but he introduced me to "Gumiki kudukarathu"(bass sound?)
Thoppi because we slap that end, palm flat, producing the 'thop, thop' sound, probably!

Right side is called 'valanthalai' or 'valantharai' ..... 'sadham' refers to the black centre of that side.

'Gumiki' or 'gumkaaram' koduppadu - producing the 'goom' sound on the left by playing the 'thom' followed by a quick drag using the inner palm near the wrist - giving a slide in pitch. 'Thom' sound is produced when played open. Gumkaram - something like:

gum thari gugunthari guguthari gugunaka
gum thari gugunthari guguthari gugutharikita
gum thari gugutharikita gum thari gugutharikita
gugutha tharikita thom, gugutha tharikita thom,
gugutha tharikita thom,