Padayani thappu

Patayani thappu is Indian frame drum with a wooden rim (formed with three parts) covered with leather on one side. It is played with the hands, as opposed to parai thappu, that is played with sticks. Thappu is used in the ritual art of Kerala known as Padayani, in which the drum accompanies stylized dance movements and provides percussive music in a rhythmic ensemble. Some of the rhythmic patterns performed are Champa, Kaarika, Kumba, Adantha and Marma. In devotional music it is usually accompanied by traditional cymbals called elathalam. Different rhythmic ensembles can be produced by blending thappu with chenda drum.