Only three men in Madurai play the big drum with ring balls, the balls are attached to a rope with a cloth around the ball. They handle these kind of drumsticks doing some acrobatics like lying on the big drum while they sweep the balls in the air to hit the big drum all perfectly syncronised with the music played by clarinets and trompet.

These kind of bands, an inheritted legacy from the Eglish, are very popular on festivals like weddings, political manifestations and here as a welcome surprise for Vi&Va coming from Cochin to Madurai for a visit of three days.

The Saravanan Music Band with Anand on the big drum.