ratna bhusana

I took over making the Balaram Mridangas in 1992 when my brother, Manu Priya died. He started working with Isan in 1997 and took over making the drums when Isan went back to Canada around 1979. I have recently been looking into someof the details of how they got started. Isan told me that Srila Prabhupada told him to go to the west and make a drum that wouldn't break. John Matlick was working for Spiritual Sky insence, he told me that Risabdeva who was the manager of Spiritual Sky, asked him to help Isan. John Matlick said that he made some drawings for Isan and helped get drum head sample. Then Isan went to the BBT mail order dept. Ranadhir dasa was in charge of that department and told me he helped Isan to develop the drum, they made the original 'plug' to make a mold of and developed the rubber parts and had metal rings etc custom made. I have made a facebook page for Balaram Mridanga where I am posting photos and information. Ratna bhusana dasa