The biggest advantage of learning Parai is that learning other traditional dance forms gets easier. “Once you master parai and paraiattam, it’s easier to learn Oyilattam, Karagattam and other folk art. A parai is usually slung over one shoulder and is held vertically. The parai is played by two sticks- adi kuchi and sundu kuchi. Before you begin to play, the parai has to be heated by holding it close to fire. Once you do that, the heat absorbs the moisture and tightens the skin surface. This produces the loud sound on the instrument. It’s important to follow the procedure before every recital. The parai can be customized according to one’s weight. An average parai weights around 3 kg.