Parai mēlam music in Jaffna Tamil culture, Sri Lanka: an ethnomusicological study

Abstract

Parai mēlam (a double-headed cylindrical drum played with two sticks) music occupies a significant position in Jaffna Tamil culture, Sri Lanka. This is an area which is worthy of scrutiny with regard to its emergence, development, uniqueness, position, performance, changes and continuity. In world drum tradition, parai mēlam music tradition has a long historical explanation, but unfortunately this performing art has become a diminishing culture due to various factors. These factors vary in the context of caste, culture and religious, rituals which are key spheres of Jaffna Tamil culture. The major objective of this study is to examine the position and placement of parai mēlam music in Tamil culture in the context of changing modern society, what are the structural and cultural consensus for making auspiciousness and inauspiciousness, and how the music rhythms are created, performed, taught, preserved, sustained, and continued? Methodologically, ethnographic research methods including ethnomusicological perspectives and methods have been employed in this study.