DRUM STICK FLAT - PARAI TAMIL

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.