Of Parai, Tholkaapiyam, and battling a stereotype

Sharing its name with the Scheduled Caste Paraiyar community, historically pushed to the margins of society, the Parai has been long associated with caste politics and used as a tool for driving social justice and protests. Tamil cinema, too, has lent a hand to the Parai being half-understood, having leaned on one image of the Parai : a drum beaten only at funerals, a sound of death. The Parai has thus fallen victim to stereotyping. And just as it is with other victims, it is with Parai , too, that the stereotypes aren’t lies, but half-truths. With the World Music Day (June 21) just gone by, it seems fitting to listen again, and hear the whole story.