Chenda
Instrumental Music – Fusion – Nagumomu
Here we have a Fusion performance by Late Sri. Balabhaskar on Violin with Drums, Chenda, Mridangam, Ganjira and Guitars. On stage we have the main performers – Balabhaskar: Violin Mridangam: Cherthala G Krishnakumar Drums: Sivamani Chenda: Mattannur Shankarankutty Marar Enjoy this excellent Fusion. Video provided only for illustration – Credit: G K Music Official 00
Instrumental Music – Chenda and Drums Fusion
Enjoy a highly energetic and entertaining fusion of Chenda and Drums. The famous Drummer Shivamani and the Multi-Talented Jayaram on the stage with Drums and Chenda. Both Shvamani and Jayaram do not need any introduction. So, let us watch the amazing performance on stage. Video used for illustration only – Credit: Malayalam Stage Shows 00
Instrumental Music – Thayambaka
Instrumental Music – Thayambaka Thayambaka is another form of Chenda Melam where single or multiple Uruttu Chenda(s) and one or more Veekku Chenda is played. There are only three instruments used in Thayambaka unlike the Panchari or Paandi Melam. Uruttu Chenda is the main instrument, along with Veekku Chenda and Elathalam. It is an art form developed in the South Indian state of Kerala. Thayambaka is also mostly played inside the temple premises or for special festivals and related to temples. The rhythmic beats of Thayambaka starts off on a slow note. It gracefully picks up the pace gradually. A typical Thayambaka can last for 2 to three hours. It initially started as a solo performance – one Uruttu Chenda with accompanying Veekku Chenda and Elathalam. Then the Double, Triple ...
Instrumental Music – Shinkari Melam
We saw two forms of Chenda Melam – Panchari and Paandi – but here is another highly energetic and entertaining form the “Shinkari Melam”. Shinkari melam differs from the other forms of Melams. In other forms, usually the artists are stationary in their own positions while playing the instruments. But in Shinkari Melam, the players keep moving and dancing in different styles while playing their instruments. This brings the viewers and listeners to dance to the tunes of the melam making it more energetic and involved. Compared to other forms, the progression of the Thala is more vibrant and fast. Both men and lady troupes perform Shinkari Melam whereas the other forms are dominated by men. Like other forms, Shinkari Melam also can last for one to two hours of duration...
Instrumental Music – Pandi Melam
We discussed about various forms of Melams using the instrument Chenda and one of the common forms is the Pandi Melam. It consists of seven beats and could last for two to three hours of duration. Pandi Melam has four stages with rhythmic cycles, totalling 56, 28, 14 and 7 of Thalavattams. Pandi Melam is staged normally only outside the temple. The Elanji Thara Melam during the Thrissur Pooram festival is an exception to this. This is performed inside the Vadakkunnathan Temple (Siva Temple) compound in Thrissur. Pandi Melam is performed during the Araattupuzha and Peruvanam Poorams in Thrissur district but they are performed outside the temple. While Panchari Melam is of Six Beat thalam, Pandi Melam is of Seven Beat thalam. Let us now watch and listen to the highly energetic Pandi Melam, b...
Instrumental Music – Panchari Melam
Today, we will see one of the different forms of Melams performed using Chenda, which is the Panchari Melam. This is a percussion ensemble normally performed during various temple festivals in Kerala. This on its elaborate form, could extend up to 3 hours and more. Here we will see only the first Kaalam, which is the Pathi Kaalam. In Carnatic Music, we have the Roopaka Thalam (Taal or Beat) having six beats. Panchari is also a six-beat Thalam. The Panchari Melam represents “Sattva Guna” and therefore suitable for playing inside the temple premises. There are five stages for Panchari Melam with beats totalling to 96, 48, 24, 12 and 6. The first of it is the Pathi Kalam. This is played on the Uruttu Chenda and accompanied by Veekku Chenda, Kuzhal, Kompu and Elathalam (Edathalam)....
Chenda
Chenda, basically a drum, is a double headed cylindrical percussion and temple instrument which has its origin from the state of Kerala. It produces a loud and rigid sound and used in temples and other cultural festivals. It is also popular in Tamil Nadu and Coastal Karnataka. Chenda is an essential accompaniment and an Anavadha Vadya or Percussion Instrument. Its Sanskrit name is Dindimam. Construction A Chenda has two sides on which a leather membrane is stretched over a hollow cylindrical body. The two sides are known as “Valam Thala” – Right head and “Edam Thala” – Left head. Usually one or two layers of Cow’s Skin is used on the left head. The right head will have five or seven layers of skin and produces the “Bass” sound. The skin...