Musical instruments used in Odissi Music are few in number. Some of the basic instruments which have been used in Odissi Music are the Ravan Hashta, the Harmonium, and the Veena or Sitar. Nowadays, a number of instruments are being replaced, like the Violin is being used instead of the Ravan Hashta. The Tanpura (a string instrument) is used by all the three streams of mainstream classical music- Odissi, Hindustani as well as Carnatic music. But one instrument which stands out among all as typical and irreplaceable both in case of Odissi dance and Odissi music is the Mardala. Further details of this typically Odissi instrument are given below.

In Odissi Sangeet Sastras it is mentioned that among all the skin percussions Mardala is the best. Its description is found in Charyagiti and various Sastras and Kavyas of medieval Orissa. In all Orissan temples also one finds the sculpture of Mardala players. Mardalavadini (the woman Mardala player) of Konark is famous. It is played during various Sevas (services) of Lord Jagannath. It is played as an accompaniment both in Mahari dance as well as Gotipua dance.

Odissi mardala more or less resembles Pakhavaj but there is also a difference both in terms of construction and technique. The Mardala which is originally used in the Jagannath Temple is simple in construction and there is no mechanism in it to adjust the pitch. Simhari Shyamsundar Kar added `Gotakas` to this simple Mardala so that it can be tuned as per need. In Pakhavaj, for example on the left side a layer of flour is given while in Mardala there is Kiran. As regards to practice and technique the Vaani or Ukuta, Khandi, Gadi Arassa in Mardala are different from those in Pakhavaj. Especially, the Chanti and movement of fingers are quite different in Mardala.

Till now Mardala is played mostly as an accompaniment of Odissi dance. Solo Mardala playing has not yet been very popular as stage performance. Gurus like Mahadev Rout, Chakradhar Sahoo, Harmohan Khuntia, Banmali Maharana, Dhaneswar Swain and Sachidananda Das are trying to make solo playing, dual playing and Jugalbandi of Mardala popular. The famous Odissi dance Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and Odissi music Guru Simhari Shyam Sunder were also famous as Mardala players.