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The frame drum dance of Kerala, called Tappumelakkali is performed by communities, such as, Vettuvar, Ezhava, Parayan, and Cherumakkal. In this dance two kinds of drums are played : Tappu, the flame drum , and Chenda, a cylindrical drum with two faces but played on one face with lean sticks by slinging it vertically from the neck. Generally, the number of Tappus is three times that of the Chendas. Usually, the group consists of four Chendas and twelve Tappus. The frame drum is played with a short but thick stick.