Parai is a major instrument of Tamil Nadu made of Neem wood and buffalo skin. Its weight is 1 to 5 kg.
The drum used in this is balanced on the elbow and played with two sticks, one short and one long.
Parai was long believed to be associated with death rites in Tamil Nadu, so unlike other percussion instruments such as the mridangam and tavil, it is not played inside temples.
Currently a group of young artists is trying to dispel this myth related to Parai.