What is the periya melam?

The periya melam is the South Indian temple ensemble of nadaswaram, tavil, ottu, a drone reed pipe, and talam, cymbals, organised around the lead nadaswaram player. The nadaswaram and tavil are auspicious instruments, heard at temple rituals and Hindu weddings in South India. The nadaswaram's volume makes it largely an outdoor instrument. Players who shaped the concert tavil include Valayapatti A. R. Subramaniam and Haridwaramangalam A. K. Palanivel.