Members and About Us

Parai Players:

Krish Vinod – Hey! I’m Krish and I play parai for Windy City Parai. I’ve been playing parai since I was in 6th grade. I joined because my friends were doing it but over time I developed a passion for it. My favorite part of playing parai is that feeling I get when I’m on stage and I can hear the entire crowd watching cheering us on, Something about me is I’m going to be a sophomore at Stevenson High School. My favorite subject at school is computer science. In my free time I like hanging out with my friends after school and playing videogames.

Shyam Kesavan – Hi! I’m Shyam Kesavan and I play Parai for Windy City Parai. My passion for parai grew from my love for playing the drums. I’ve been playing drums since I was very little, and I love a good jam-out session to relieve stress any time of day. I really love playing soccer in my free time and researching computers, but these aren’t my only hobbies, I’m constantly searching for new things to learn and master.

Sahana Kesavan – Hi! I’m Sahana and I play parai for Windy City Parai. I play parai because I enjoy being on stage and dancing to the flow of music. The biggest validation i get for playing on stage is the enjoyment I watch on the audiences face as they clap and dance along with us. I love cooking/baking in my free time as well as reading a good book.

Murasu Player:

Kesavan Lakshmanan

Maracas Player:

Vinod Saravana

About Parai

The Parai is a traditional drum that is native to the southern part of India, particularly Tamil Nadu. The Parai is a very simple and ancient percussion instrument consisting of a pair of cylindrical drums made from wood and animal skin. These drums are played by striking the drumheads with two sticks or, in some circumstances, your hands.

The Parai is often associated with folk and traditional music in Tamil Nadu and is used in various cultural and religious contexts. It has a powerful and rhythmic sound and is known for its distinctive beats and patterns. Historically, it has been used in various ceremonies and events, including funerals, festivals, and religious rituals.