Thapattam

‘Thappu’ is a small circular one headed drum hung from the shoulder and performed with two small sticks known as chimbu kuchi and adikuchi. Thappu is performed to produce different kinds of music that convey specific meaning depending upon the context. There are different kinds of music in Thappattam. They are known as chaparathadi, dappa adi, Paadam adi, cinema adi, marul adi, maradithal adi etc. Thappattam is a traditional occupation of certain communities domiciled in the districts of Madurai, Dindigul, and Thanjavur regions in Tamilnadu. Thappattam plays an important role in all the life cycle ceremonies of these people.