Parai: Difference between revisions
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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The parai is a frame drum about 35 centimeters in diameter. It consists of a shallow ring of wood, covered on one side with a stretched cow hide that is glued to the wooden frame. The preferred wood is neem wood although other types may be used. The shell is made up of three separate pieces of wood each in the shape of an arc. These pieces are held together by three metal plates. The parai is played with two sticks: one long, thin flat bamboo stick (approx. 28 cm) called 'Sundu Kuchi'<ref>http://www.vikatan.com/new/article.php?module=magazine&aid=102105</ref> and a short, thick stick called 'Adi Kucchi'<ref>http://www.vikatan.com/new/article.php?module=magazine&aid=102105</ref> that can be made from any variety of wood (approx. 18 cm) |
The parai is a frame drum about 35 centimeters in diameter. It consists of a shallow ring of wood, covered on one side with a stretched cow hide that is glued to the wooden frame. The preferred wood is neem wood although other types may be used. The shell is made up of three separate pieces of wood each in the shape of an arc. These pieces are held together by three metal plates. The parai is played with two sticks: one long, thin flat bamboo stick (approx. 28 cm) called 'Sundu Kuchi'<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vikatan.com/new/article.php?module=magazine&aid=102105|title=உலகம் முழுக்க பறை ஒலிக்கட்டும்!|publisher=Vikatan|accessdate=Sep 11, 2016|date=Jan 1, 2015}}{{ta icon}}</ref> and a short, thick stick called 'Adi Kucchi'<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vikatan.com/new/article.php?module=magazine&aid=102105|title=உலகம் முழுக்க பறை ஒலிக்கட்டும்!|publisher=Vikatan|accessdate=Sep 11, 2016|date=Jan 1, 2015}}{{ta icon}}</ref> that can be made from any variety of wood (approx. 18 cm) |
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==Technique== |
==Technique== |
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==History== |
==History== |
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In Tamil, the word 'parai' means 'to speak' or 'to tell'. It was performed in the courts of Sangam, Chola, and Pandiyan rulers. The drums were used to announce important messages and orders of the great Tamil Kings. <br /> |
In Tamil, the word 'parai' means 'to speak' or 'to tell'. It was performed in the courts of Sangam, Chola, and Pandiyan rulers. The drums were used to announce important messages and orders of the great Tamil Kings. <br /> |
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In olden days, parai was used for multiple reasons, ranging from warning people about the upcoming war, requesting the civilians to leave the battlefield, announcing victory or defeat, stopping a breach of water body, gathering farmers for farming activities, warning the wild animals about people's presence, during festivals, wedding, celebrations, worship of nature and so on.<ref>http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/secular-and-sacred/article4268995.ece</ref> Parai has been an instrumental part of the people's life. |
In olden days, parai was used for multiple reasons, ranging from warning people about the upcoming war, requesting the civilians to leave the battlefield, announcing victory or defeat, stopping a breach of water body, gathering farmers for farming activities, warning the wild animals about people's presence, during festivals, wedding, celebrations, worship of nature and so on.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/secular-and-sacred/article4268995.ece|title=Secular and sacred|publisher=The Hindu|date=January 3, 2013|accessdate=September 11, 2016}}</ref> Parai has been an instrumental part of the people's life. |
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==Different varieties of Parai == |
==Different varieties of Parai == |
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Revision as of 02:46, 12 September 2016
The Parai (Tamil:பறை) or Thappu (Tamil:தப்பு) is one of the oldest drums used in India, especially in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and also in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka. It is considered as one of the symbols of Tamil culture. In ancient days, this instrument was used as a communication mechanism to convey messages to people and alert against danger. The word Thappu came into practice predominantly during Nayakar's rule in Tamil Nadu. It is believed to be the mother of all skin instruments in Tamil Nadu.
It consists of a circular wooden frame with one end closed with cow skin membrane and the other end open. Thappu is played with two sticks, one being larger and thinner than the other.[1] It is performed in dances, funerals, temple festivals and sport events. Thappu drum or Parai drum is also played to invoke the deities at Madras temples.
Kurunthokai mentions that Parai was used as an auspicious instrument in weddings. It was also used to alert the people in flood time. A type of parai called Ari parai was used in harvest time to make the birds fly off from the fields.[2] Another type of parai called Perum parai is found only in the Kongu Nadu region of Tamil Nadu.[3]
The parai that is played while dancing is called parai aattam Template:Lang-ta (Parai Dance), and is also referred to as Adavu Template:Lang-ta. The parai aattam is a folk art in Tamil Nadu.
Description
The parai is a frame drum about 35 centimeters in diameter. It consists of a shallow ring of wood, covered on one side with a stretched cow hide that is glued to the wooden frame. The preferred wood is neem wood although other types may be used. The shell is made up of three separate pieces of wood each in the shape of an arc. These pieces are held together by three metal plates. The parai is played with two sticks: one long, thin flat bamboo stick (approx. 28 cm) called 'Sundu Kuchi'[4] and a short, thick stick called 'Adi Kucchi'[5] that can be made from any variety of wood (approx. 18 cm)
Technique
The parai is slung by a strap over one shoulder (weak/off hand side) and is held vertically by pushing it towards the performer's body. This simple harness allows the drummer to play while standing, walking, or dancing. The Parai is played entirely with two sticks- Adikuchi (Tamil:அடிகுச்சி) and Sundu Kuchi (Tamil:சுன்டுகுச்சி).
There are three fundamental strokes from which all of the rhythmic patterns are derived; striking the center of the drum with the shorter stick held in the strong/dominant hand; "slapping" the center of the drum with the long stick held in the weak/off hand; and striking the drum with both sticks, the dominant immediately followed by the off. The short stick (adikuchi) is loosely held between the thumb and three other fingers: index, middle, and ring of the dominant hand. It is held vertically upright, positioned near the lower rim of the drum. The off hand which holds the long stick rests on the upper part of the frame. This stick is positioned at an angle pointed downward. The base of the stick is gripped by the thumb and index fingers and balanced between the middle and ring fingers. The long stick is moved back and forth using the ring finger and thumb respectively
Just before the commencement of every performance, drummers will heat the Parai, holding them extremely close to a small bonfire, so that the heat absorbs the moisture in the drum heads and tightens them considerably. After heating, the drums produce a high pitched loud cracking sound when struck.
Few Well known beats of Parai
- Oathaadi (Tamil:ஒத்தையடி)
- Thenmangu (Tamil:தென்மாங்கு)
- Samiaatam (Tamil:சாமியாட்டம்)
- Thullal (Tamil:துள்ளல்)
- Uirppu (Tamil:உயிர்ப்பு)
History
In Tamil, the word 'parai' means 'to speak' or 'to tell'. It was performed in the courts of Sangam, Chola, and Pandiyan rulers. The drums were used to announce important messages and orders of the great Tamil Kings.
In olden days, parai was used for multiple reasons, ranging from warning people about the upcoming war, requesting the civilians to leave the battlefield, announcing victory or defeat, stopping a breach of water body, gathering farmers for farming activities, warning the wild animals about people's presence, during festivals, wedding, celebrations, worship of nature and so on.[6] Parai has been an instrumental part of the people's life.
Different varieties of Parai
- Ariparai
- Areriparai
- Uvagaiparai
- Saaparai or Sakaatuparai
- Vettiyanparai
- Neytharparai
- Pampai
- Meenkotparai
- Maruthanilaparai
- Kallavadam
- Kuravaiparai
- Thadaru
- Kurumparai
- Kodukotti
- Kotparai
- Thamuku
- Nisaalam
- Soosikam
- Thakkai
- Thadaari
- Parathappattai
- Thalaiparai
- Padalai
- Pandaramelam
- Panriparai
- Murasu, Veparai
- Poosatrunnumai
- Murugiyam
- Veriyaatuparai
- Veeranam
- Panchamasatham
Documentary on Parai
- Anna University Educational Multimedia Research Center made a documentary on Parai in the name of Parai - Mother of Percussion [7]
- Ethnographic documentary on parai drummers [8] by Dr.Zoe Sherinian[9] presently in post-production
Parai Music Bands/Troupes
In India
Listed below (in alphabetical order) are some Parai music & dance troupes in Tamil nadu
- Aathi tamizhar kalaikuzhu, Ponneri
- Ambedkar kalaikuzhu, Tiruvallur
- Athirvugal kalaikuzhu, Viluppuram
- Buddhar kalaikuzhu, Vedanthangal [10]
- Kanniappan kalaikuzhu, Arakkonam
- Murasu kalaikuzhumam, Nagar Kovil
- Nimirvu kalaiyagam, Coimbatore [11]
- Sakthi kalaikuzhu, Dindigul [12]
- Samar kalaikuzhu, Alanganallur
- Tamilnadu parambariya parai isai por sangam, Tiruvannamalai
- Thalaipparai kalaikuzhu, Tiruchirappalli
- Unarvugal kalaikuzhu, Arni
- Veerasozhan thappattakuzhu, Thanjavur
In Western Countries
- American Parai Team St. Louis, United States [13]
- Manudam Parai Ani Connecticut, United States [14]
- Parai - Voice of Freedom London, Great Britain
- STAR Kalaikuzhu, Seattle, United States
- Los Angeles Parai Troupe, Los Angeles, United States
See also
References
- ^ "Parai". Virtual Instrument Museum, Wesleyan University, US. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
- ^ "Secular and sacred". The Hindu. India. 3 January 2013.
- ^ "Music of the people". The Hindu. Coimbatore, India. 26 August 2012.
- ^ "உலகம் முழுக்க பறை ஒலிக்கட்டும்!". Vikatan. Jan 1, 2015. Retrieved Sep 11, 2016.Template:Ta icon
- ^ "உலகம் முழுக்க பறை ஒலிக்கட்டும்!". Vikatan. Jan 1, 2015. Retrieved Sep 11, 2016.Template:Ta icon
- ^ "Secular and sacred". The Hindu. January 3, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4WLQb57Q9g&list=PL887D53C4C5213A0F
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32XhnopYcNc
- ^ http://www.ou.edu/finearts/music/faculty-staff/zoe-sherinian.html
- ^ http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article1428556.ece
- ^ http://tamil.thehindu.com/society/lifestyle/%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%B1%E0%AF%88-%E0%AE%87%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81-%E0%AE%A8%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D/article7089041.ece
- ^ http://www.valaitamil.com/usa-st-luis-software-engineers-playing-parai-isai_10962.html
- ^ http://www.ohmkaram.org/American_Parai_Team.pdf
- ^ http://www.lokvani.com/lokvani/article.php?article_id=11821
External links
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