What is a tavil?

The tavil, also spelt thavil, is a double-headed, barrel-shaped drum associated with Tamil Nadu. It is the drum of the periya melam, the South Indian temple ensemble led by the nadaswaram. It is used in temple music, Carnatic music and folk music, and with the nadaswaram it counts as an auspicious instrument at temple rituals and Hindu weddings.

The mridangam, the drum of the Carnatic concert, sits across the lap and is played with both hands. The tavil hangs from the shoulder: the right hand plays one head and the left strikes the other with a short, hard stick, and its volume matches the nadaswaram outdoors.