---
url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-in/faq/instruments-artforms/what-should-i-check-when-buying-a-tavil'
title: 'What should I check when buying a tavil?'
author:
  name: rajeevk
  url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-in/user/fce96177fd193d3a'
date: '2026-10-19T15:19:28+00:00'
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summary: "Check a tavil's jackwood shell, its tensioning system, its head hides and its loaded left face, and budget for the stick and finger caps."
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 FAQ · Instruments & artforms

# What should I check when buying a tavil?

 Updated 19 October 2026

 

When buying a **[tavil](/en-in/instrument/tavil)**, check that the shell is a solid jackwood block, how the heads are tensioned, which hides the heads use, and the condition of the loaded left face. The tensioning system affects how a head is replaced. You will also need the kuchi, a short, thick, hard stick, and finger caps for the hand that plays the right head.



 

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## Related pages

 1 page mentions this question

 

 

###  Instruments (1) 

- [   Tavil The tavil is the South Indian barrel drum of the periya melam, played beside the nadaswaram at temples and weddings: double-headed, with finger strokes on one…     ](/en-in/instrument/tavil)
 
  

 

 

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