City of Armadale - History House > Records

BAG - PARAI TAMIL DRUM

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2022

Overview

Round green canvas bag with black plastic piping around the top and bottom edges of the bag. On the side edge of the bag is a black zipper than runs along half of the length of the bag. Zipper clasp is metallic with moulded brand text on it. On one flat side of the bag are two black canvas carry straps sewn into the edge of the bad. On one side the ends of the two straps are sewn next to each other. The opposite ends are sewn apart so the straps form a V shape on the back of the bag. The loops of the straps extend beyond the edge of the bag.

Historical information

This traditional Tamil parai drum was acquired by the Valluvan Tamil School in Harrisdale to teach students the art of drumming. Parai, which means 'to speak' or 'to tell' in Tamil was traditionally used to pass messages over distance. Over time the use of the drum evolved and has become an important part of Tamil culture. it is often played at festivals, weddings, temple ceremonies and as accompanying music to demonstrations of traditional Tamil martial arts.
Tamil culture has spread out from what is today Tamil Nadu, a state in Southern India. There they speak Tamil which is a classical Dravidian language. The Tamil culture has spread primarily to Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius and Singapore. Since the early 2000's a Tamil community has been steadily growing in the City of Armadale. The Valluvan Tamil School, run by volunteers, was opened 9 February 2020 at the Harrisdale Senior high School with the support of the Office of Multicultural Issues. The school teaches the Tamil language, culture and philosophy. One of the classes they run is how to play the parai drum.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-33-COA2022.4d

Item type

Musical instruments

Material

Canvas

Metal

Inscriptions and markings

on zipper [TONI]

Keywords

Valluvan Tamil School

India

Tamil Nadu, India

Harrisdale

Harrisdale Senior High School

Year

2022

Statement of significance

This collection of objects is associated with the experiences of families and individuals who migrated to Australia in the 1900s and settled in the City of Armadale. The collection represents the challenges they faced in starting a new home in the City, reasons why they chose to come to Australia and the successes they achieved. The collection also tells the story of the important impact migrant families and individuals have had on the cultural, economic and social history of the City of Armadale and how they and their descendants became an important part of the local community.

City of Armadale - History House

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