Svaram - Palmyra Nut Shaker

Palmyra nut, single, combining a seed shaker and dancing bells, is an original instrument from the heart of Tamil Nadu, using materials from one of its most characteristic and utilitarian plants – the Palmyra palm-tree, used for food, building material, thatch, and medicine. Let the sounds of South India invite you to a simple musical excursion.

Initiated in 2003 as a grassroots community, rural development project in Tamil Nadu (India),  Svaram has been recognised by the UN Initiative “Music as a Global Resource” as one of its first 50 projects worldwide. The open association and team of over 50 local artisans, trainees, international volunteers and professionals has always retained its emphasis on the human element, its heritage and prospect of evolutionary change and positive progress.

Initially focusing on communication-social-and craft-skill trainings with the practical core of hands on work with different materials like wood, metals, clay, bamboo and seeds/shells for instrument building, extensive explorations and a communal discovery process on the ‘magic of sound’ stimulated the growth of the team in ever unfolding and often surprising directions, creating a natural enthusiasm in everyone involved for the chosen work with the mystery and magic of sound!