Urumee

Both left and right heads are usually made from cow hide that is stretched around a thin metal ring (sometimes lizard skin is used for the right head). The outer circumference of each head is perforated with approximately seven to eight holes. The two heads are held in tension by a continuous rope that is woven around the drum in a V-shape pattern. Additional small coils of string or metal are tied around each pair of ropes near the left head. These coils can be slide horizontally along the length of the drum, increasing or decreasing the tension between the heads as necessary. For example, during the monsoon season the drum heads will slacken so much that the instrument becomes unplayable. Using these coils drummers can easily rectify such problems.

• Name — Urumee • Names — Urumi melam • Classification — Percussion instrument, goatskin heads • Range — Bolt tuned or rope tuned with dowels and hammer • Related — [urumi melam

As an oral tradition, Tamil folk music does not have a codified system of written notation. Musicians learn through years of unconscious absorption, conscious listening, imitation, and practice.

This drum is widely believed to possess supernatural and sacred powers. When played in religious ceremonies and processions, the performance of specific beats on the urumi may induce spirit possessions or Trance. The urumi is also played in the South Indian state of Kerala, which borders Tamil Nadu. The urumi is most often performed in two types of ensembles: • Urumi Melam • Naiyandi Melam Urumi melam ensembles usually consists of double-reed instruments Nadaswaram, a pair of double headed drums called pambai, and one to three urumi drums; this particular ensemble is associated exclusively with funerals and other inauspicious occasions. The naiyandi melam is the most common type of folk ensemble associated with ritual and dance. A typical naiyandi melam is composed of two double-reed nadaswaram, one or two thavil (barrel drums), a thamukku (kettle drum played with leather straps), a pambai, and an urumi. In the popular dance known as Devarattam (dance), usually 2 to 3 urumis will be played with specific beats; sometimes a thappu (parai) is played in the background to keep a tempo. It performs for a number of festive occasions including dance-dramas, menstruation ceremonies, weddings, harvest festivals, and staged folk dances such as: • Deverattam - Performed by the Rajakambalathu Nayakkar community • Poikkal Kudirai (dummy horse dance) • Mayil Attam (peacock dance) • Puli Attam (tiger dance) • Kavadi Attam (a devotional dance to Lord Murugan) and many others. The urumi may also be heard on commercial recordings of film soundtracks and popular folk music.