The Tamil bow (villu) is a musical instrument distinguished by its exceptional length, spanning up to ten, and at times even fourteen feet. Crafted from palmyra wood, often sourced from bamboo, and ideally carved from the female tree, this bow boasts a striking resemblance to a traditional hunting bow. The bow is adorned with colorful paper or silk cloth, and its ends are embellished with brass or bronze animal figurines. Adding to the symphony of sounds, a collection of usually nine melodious cow bells grace its frame. The Tamil bow finds its place within a group of diverse instruments, enhancing the collective musical experience. Anchored in an upright position by securing its center to a pot-like instrument known as the kutam, one end finds support under the arm of the kutam player, while the other is fastened to a string that loops around the lead singer's significant toe. The artistry comes to life as the bow's cowhide string is struck using slim sticks known as vicukol. These sticks hold a pair of small concave discs, creating a chamber that houses metal balls. With each stroke of the vicukol, a jingle resonates from the dancing metal balls, accompanied by the ring of the hanging bells. Traditionally wielded by the lead singer, the vicukol sticks can also be entrusted to the guidance of the annavi, the guru, offering the lead singer freedom to infuse their performance with expressive gestures.

This hourglass-shaped drum (udukkai), found all across India, comes alive with variations and intricate cross-rhythms. Its brass body, adorned with cowhide heads, resonates with a symphony of tones. The tension on these heads is deftly controlled by the drummer's skillful manipulation of a cloth band, allowing for a diverse range of sounds. With agile fingers striking the drumhead at various points, the udukkai creates a cascade of beats, often reaching extremely fast paces. The udukkai player, second only to the lead singer, often performs with a solo that showcases their virtuosity, earning them the keen appraisal of the audience.

Made from Indian redwood tree, the the blocks (kattai) support the rhythms of the pot

The leader of the choral singers is usually the pot player. This instrumentalist not only maintains the rhythmic foundation of the performance but also engages in responsive interplay with the lead vocalist. The "pot" (kutam) utilized in this role is made from clay, fortified with iron filings, and features enhanced thickness at its mouth to withstand the forceful strikes it endures from a paddle made from the sheath of the areca nut tree. This paddle is further strengthened by interwoven leather strips. The pot player's skill lies in their ability to manipulate the pot's sound by adjusting the amount of mouth coverage when striking it with the paddle. This skill results in either a deep, resonant tone or a crisp, high-pitched sound. Additionally, the player introduces a complementary counter-rhythm through the use of a small wooden spool, which they deftly tap against the pot's surface.

Made of bronze or brass. cymbals (jalra) supports the rhythms of the pot