A Thavil or Tavil is a musical instrument which is common in Tamil Nadu. It is also used in other South Indian states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana and North and East of Sri Lanka. It is generally used in temple, folk and Carnatic music often paired with Nadaswaram.
These are essential components of traditional festivals and ceremonies in South India. A few artists in Tamil Nadu have been involved in the art of making this traditional musical instrument in Thanjavur’s Thiruvaiyaru town, Tamil Nadu.
Senthil Kumar from Thiruvaiyara has been involved in making Thavil instruments in bulk. He has made record sales not only in India but also in foreign countries like Singapore and Malaysia. The artist Senthil Kumar shared, “We have 10 families who rely on this business.” He revealed that the kits are made only during the hot season “as the leather needs to dry properly”.
He said Thavil Vidwans all over the country buy the instrument from them. He added that there are Hindu temples in Malaysia and Singapore where their carefully crafted Thavil is in demand. Apart from this, they also sell this instrument through commercial websites like Amazon.
Senthil Kumar shared that the Government recognises, appreciates and offers various certificates to Thavil Vidhwans. But when it comes to the artists who are engaged in the craft of making it do not get any recognition or award. He assumes that in the next 10 years, the Thavil-making industry may witness a steep decline due to the decreased number of Thavil and Nadaswaram music in auspicious events like marriages. He urged the government to give artists crafting the instruments their due recognition. He also requested a trademark symbol for these traditional musical instruments. This will protect those who are directly dependent on this industry.
Generally, in folk music, Thavil has a pair of wide and slim sticks. Since it is famous in Thanjavur, it is also known as Thanjavur Thavil. A few movies where Thavils were a part of the music are Thillaanaa Mohanambal, Paruthiveeran, Karagattakaran, and Sarvam Thaala Mayam.
The Thavil has a cylindrical shell hollowed out of a solid block of jackfruit wood. It uses layers of animal skin like water buffalo and goat that are stretched across the two sides of the shell with hoops attached to the body. Generally, one side of the instrument has a larger diameter than the other side. It also consists of silver strips which are made as per the size of the Thavil. Then tamarind paste is spread all over the vessel and tightly secured. When the paste dries up, the vessel is shaped to the correct size once again. Such are the intricacies involved in making a Thavil, that one small mistake can be a big problem for the musical instrument. It takes about a month to make one Thavil.
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