Plucked Parai also known as Thappattai or Thappu is a traditional percussion instrument from South India.

It is a traditional instrument used to make announcements and played during festivals, folk dances, weddings and functions.

While Thappu was a similar instrument used by tribal people, with minor variations, the names were used interchangeably since late middle ages.

[9] Thappu was a similar instrument which was used by tribals and in traditional Tamil dance forms but as parai was similar and also used to announce deaths and played in funerals, it was also called as thappu (meaning "inauspicious or wrong" in Tamil) probably during the Nayak period in the 16th century CE.

[13] Earlier, hemp or jute was used to tie the skin to the ends but nowadays leather straps and ropes are used with glues and nails.

[4] Thappu was a similar percussion instrument with a smaller sized drum, used originally used by the tribal people for chasing away wild animals.

[12] A variation of the equipment called Kinai Parai, essentially a larger drum hung from tree tops that would be played to announce an incoming battle or war.

[7] Meenkotparai (Meen meaning fish in Tamil) was a variant used by the coastal people for selling their catch.

[12] The short stick is loosely held between the thumb and other fingers of the strong or dominant hand, positioned near the lower rim of the drum.

The off or weak hand, which holds the long stick, rests on the upper part of the frame, positioned at a downward-pointing angle.

[4] The tempering causes the moisture from the hide to evaporate, stiffening and tightening the membrane, which is essential to produce loud, high pitched beats.

[12] There is also a variation known as Parai Meala Koothu, where many players stand facing each other and play to contrasting emotions.

[12] There are five basic rhythms used in parai attam: Othayadi, Thenmangu, Saamiyaattam, Thullal and Uyirppu, but it may vary across regions.

[9] In the last century, the instrument became increasingly associated with funerals rather than auspicious occasions and became a symbol of untouchability and marginalization of Dalit communities.