 A traditional Tharai made of metal (along withThappattai) | |
| Other names | Thaarai |
|---|---|
| Classification | Wind instruments |
Tharai orThaarai is awind instrument fromSouth India. It is a traditional instrument played duringfestivals,folk dances,weddings andfunctions. The instrument in played predominantly inTamil Nadu and in some parts ofKerala. There are many variants of the instrument, including longer and shorter versions, curved or straight and the outer pipe may be made ofmetal orwood. The instrument might be played along withthappattai, apercussion instrument in folk dances and festivities or accompanied by traditionalthavil andnadaswaram in rituals and functions.
The exact origin of the instrument is not clear. The instrument was one of theancient native music instruments developed and used by theTamil people.[1][2] TheTirumurai, a twelve-volume compendium ofhymns dated from 6th to the 11th century CE, mentions the instrument.[3][4]
சங்கொடுதாரை காளந் தழங்கொலி முழங்கு பேரி
வெங்குரற் பம்பை கண்டை வியன்றுடி திமிலைதட்டி
பொங்கொலிச் சின்ன மெல்லாம்பொருபடை மிடைந்தபொற்பின்
மங்குல்வான் கிளர்ச்சி நாண மருங்கெழுந் தியம்பி மல்க
When sageAgastya propagated the details ofSiddha medicine to the other sages, he was welcomed by a procession with music including the traditional tharai.[6]
The instrument may be curved or straight. The curved version like a "s" is generally made of ametal oralloy likebrass similar to thekombu.[7][8] The name is derived fromKombu inTamil language meaningcow's horn.[7][9][8]Araivatta kombu tharai, is a variant of the same, which is acrescent-shaped brass instrument witharaivatta meaning "crescent" in Tamil.[7]
It may also be a longitudinal thincylinder like a pole with up to 12 ft (3.7 m) length, made up ofwood, which produces a continuous sound if wind pressure is applied.[3][10] There are two variants of the same: a shorter version known asKuttathaarai withkutta meaning short in Tamil and a longer version known asNedunthaarai withnedu meaning long or far in Tamil.[11][12]
It is a traditional instrument played inSouth India, majorly by theTamil people inTamil Nadu.[13][14] It is commonly played duringfestivals,folk dances,weddings andfunctions.[15][13] The instrument is played inHindu templeprocessions accompanyingHindu gods and goddesses.[16][17] It is used in the worship of traditional Tamil deities likeMuneeswarar.[18]
Sangu ndha sekhanditharai parai vathiyam
Mangalamai muzhangida mahimayodu varugiraar
Thongum meesai kathiyaam, thudikkum kannil sakthiyaam
Ingithamai nethiyil olirum neeru venmayai
The instrument is generally played withThappattai, a traditionalpercussion instrument in Tamil festivals and folk arts and might be accompanied sometimes by other traditional instruments such asUrumi melam in Kerala and Naiyandi melam.[17][2][19] It is also played withThavil, a percussion instrument andNadaswaram, adouble reed wind instrument, commonly played in Tamil weddings, functions and rituals.[19] The instrument is played in the background for the performance ofTamil folk dances such asSalangai attam.[10][13]
The instrument has also been played and showcased in urban festivals like theChennai Sangamam inChennai andTamil Thiruvizha inCoimbatore.[20][21]
Tharai Thappattai was aTamil language film, directed byBala and released in 2016.[22]Music directorIlaiyaraaja is known to use traditional instruments including tharai in the compositions.[23]
..Thaarai and thappattai, native instruments of Tamil people..
procession of Siddhas around South Podhigai playing musical instruments like nagarimelam, thuthari, thaarai..
music played on instruments such as the tharai, an S shaped horn
including tharai (ancient 12-feet trump), tappatti (drum), matthalam (dholak)
tharai, thappattai and kaithalam. They perform folk dances.
Some of their musical instruments are moolam, nayanam, kulal, tharai, ...
...play instruments such as tiruchinnam, ekkalam, tharai and come in a procession...
..taken to the temple in a big procession with mela dhalam, tharai thappatai and crackers.
such as Melam, Nathaswaram, Thavil, Parai, Thaarai, Thappattai, Urimi Melam, Naiyandi Melam and Band etc.
performances like silambam, oyilattam, poi kaal attam, parai and tharai thappattai, among others.
Traditional dance forms include ..., Tharai..
He used authentic instruments like tharai and thappattai (Parai drums)..