Parai

Parai also known as Thappattai or Thappu is a traditional percussion instrument from South India, used to make announcements and played during festivals, folk dances, weddings and functions. It is played predominantly by the Tamils in Tamil Nadu, and in other regions with significant Tamil diaspora such as Sri Lanka. Although there are many variants of the instrument, it generally consists of a drum made of wood, open on one side and closed with a stretched animal hide on the other side along with two wooden sticks used for beating the drum.