Thavil or Takil is a drum widely used in Kerala temples during important rituals. It is a barrel-shaped percussion instrument often accompanying the nadaswaram. Thavil looks like a mridangam but the right side is bigger than the left side. The left side is beaten with a stick and the right side is beaten with the hand to produce sound.
Thavil is used as background music during Sheeveli and Deeparadhana in Kerala temples.
The musical instrument is more famous in Tamil Nadu. Here it is used in temples and is also part of folk and carnatic music.
The instrument is famous in Thanjavur and the instrument is also known as Thanjavur Thavil.