A tie-dye parai: Chennai scientists colour Tamil Nadu's traditional drum

A team of five scientists at CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute in Chennai has developed a technique to colour the parai, Tamil Nadu's traditional percussion instrument made of buffalo hide. Led by M Sathish, the research also made the hide more resonant and durable. The innovation aims to elevate the instrument's status and appeal to younger generations across Tamil Nadu.

People look at the instrument with a certain disdain. Traditionally associated with funerals, parai and the artisans who play it are treated below par to other classical instrumentalists.