The Chenda (Malayalam: ചെണ്ട, [tʃeɳʈa]) is a cylindrical percussion instrument from the state of Kerala and commonly used in Tulu Nadu, a region in Karnataka, India. In Tulu Nadu, it is called "chende." The instrument is closely connected to the cultural traditions of both Kerala and Tulu Nadu. Historically, it has been used by the Malayar people in Kerala. According to their beliefs, Lord Shiva gave them the chenda and matravadham, which are considered the same in their mantravadha tradition, where sound is very important.

The Chenda is known for its loud and strong sound. It has two sides: the left side is called "Edamthala" (ഇടം തല) and the right side is called "Valamthala" (വലം തല). The "Edamthala" uses one or two layers of cow skin, while the "Valamthala" uses five or seven layers to create a deeper sound. The skin is dried in the sun and attached to wooden rings (called "Chenda Vattam," ചെണ്ട വട്ടം) made from the trunk of a local palm tree (Eeranpana) or bamboo. The rings are secured using a sticky substance made from the seeds of a tree called "pananchi maram." The circular frame is placed in a container, boiled for a full day, then shaped into a circle and dried. The body of the Chenda is about 1 foot (30 cm) wide and 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) thick, made from soft jackfruit tree wood (വരിക്ക പ്ലാവ്) (Varikka Plavu). The thickness is reduced by 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) at points spaced 4 inches (10 cm) apart to help the sound resonate more clearly. Only the wooden rings with the skin (Chenda Vattam) are replaced if the sound quality is not good enough. On average, skilled Chenda players use about 15 rings each year.

The Chenda is often played during Hindu temple festivals and accompanies religious performances in Kerala, such as Kathakali, Koodiyattam, Kannyar Kali, and Theyyam. It is also used in a dance-drama called Yakshagana (Tenku Thittu), popular in Tulu Nadu. A version of the instrument called "Chande" is used in the northern style of Yakshagana. Traditionally, the Chenda is considered an "Asura Vadyam," meaning it is not meant to be played in harmony with other instruments. The Chenda is an essential part of all cultural events in Kerala.

In Kerala, the craft of making Chenda is now practiced by a few families known as "Perumkollan" (smiths) in villages like Peruvembu, Nemmara, Lakkidi, Vellarkad, and Valappaya. Many famous Chenda players in Kerala prefer to make their instruments in Vellarkad village because it is known for producing high-quality Chendas.

Types of Chenda

Chendas come in different types based on the size of the "Chenda Vattam" (drum head). These types are named based on their measurements: "Ettara Veechan Chenda" (8.5), "Ompathu Veechan Chenda" (9), "Ompathe Kal Veechan Chenda" (9 1/4), "Ompathara Veechan Chenda" (9.5), "Ompathe Mukkal Veechan Chenda" (9 3/4), and "Ompathe Mukkal Kali Chenda" (greater than 9 3/4 but less than 10). These Chendas are used for different purposes, especially in various art forms.

Chendas are also classified based on their size, structure, and function. They are called "Veekku Chenda" (beating hard) or "Acchan Chenda" (father drum), "Uruttu Chenda" (rolling drum), "Muri Chenda," and others.

The "Uruttu Chenda" (rolling drum) is used to play musical variations and lead the orchestra. It is called the "Pramanavadhya" (leading instrument). The "Chenda Vattam" (drum head) of the "Uruttu Chenda" is always the "Edam Thala" or "Left Head," made of soft, single cow skin. The word "uruttu" in Malayalam means "rolling." The musician creates sound by rolling their right hand wrist. During the first beat, the palm holding the stick faces the musician (in), and during the second beat, the palm faces the opposite side (out). This motion is done by rolling the wrist.

The "Veekku Chenda" (beating hard) or "Acchan Chenda" (father drum) is used to keep the "thalam" (basic rhythm). The "Chenda Vattam" (drum head) of the "Veekku Chenda" is always the "Valam Thala" or "Right Head," made of multiple layers of skin to produce a deep sound. The word "veekku" in Malayalam means "beating hard." The musician creates sound by hitting the drum with a stick, without twisting or rolling the wrist.

Chenda Melam

A "Chenda Melam" is a type of music that uses a drum called Chenda. The Chenda is an important instrument in many traditional performances in Kerala, such as Kathakali, Kodiyattam, and Theyyam. Chenda Melam has been popular in Kerala for more than 300 years and is often played during festivals. There are seven types of "melams": Panchari melam, Champa, Chempada, Adantha, Anchadatha, Druvam, and Pandi melam. The first six types are called "Chempada melangal." In addition to these, two other types of melams exist in Kerala: Navam and Kalpam.

The skin used on the Chenda, called "Chenda Vattam," is very thin for certain classical forms of Chenda Melam, such as Panchari melam, Pandi melam, and Thayambaka. However, for a type called Shingari Melam, the skin is hard and less expensive to make. Shingari Melam is not considered a classical form of art.

Learning

A Chenda is taught in a traditional way. Students practice on a stone or wood using a strong and thick stick made from tamarind tree bark. The learning stick is 29 centimeters long. One side is 3 centimeters wide, and the other side is 2.5 centimeters wide. After practicing on stone, students learn to play on the Veekku Chenda or the Valam Thala part of the Chenda, which is made of multiple layers of skin. The Valam Thala Chenda is played using a long and thin stick. Once students master the Valam Thala Chenda, they begin learning on the Uruttu Chenda or the Edam Thala part of the Chenda, which has only one layer of skin.

When striking the Chenda with two sticks, the right-hand stick hits the upper part (slightly above the center) of the "Chenda Vattam," and the left-hand stick hits the lower part (slightly below the center) of the "Chenda Vattam."

In Kerala, traditional Chenda learning always begins and ends with a "Ganapathi Kai," a prayer and dedication to the Hindu deity Ganapathi. A "Ganapathi Kai" consists of 37 beats. The beats are written as:

Na.Ka. Tha.Ra. Kaam…
Dha.Ri. Ki.Da. Dhi.Ka. Tha.Ra. Kaam…
Na.Ka. Tha.Ra. Kaam…
Dhi.Ki. Na.Na. Kaam…
Dha.Ri. Ki.Da. Dhi.Ka. Tha.Ra. Kaam…

The letters starting with "G" and "K" are beaten using the left hand, and others are beaten using the right hand.

Once students learn the "Ganapathi Kai," the teacher begins teaching Chenda "Sadhakam," or repeated exercises. A "Sadhakam" often starts with a three-beat exercise called "Tha Ki Ta" Sadhakam.

A "Tha Ki Ta" Sadhakam begins with "Onnam Kaalam," the first level of geometric speed, which is the basic rhythm used throughout the performance. After practicing "Onnam Kaalam," students learn "Randam Kaalam," the second level of geometric speed, then "Muunaam Kaalam," the third level, and so on.

For a "Tha Ki Ta" Sadhakam, "Onnam Kaalam" has 3 beats. "Randam Kaalam" has 6 beats, which is double "Onnam Kaalam." "Muunaam Kaalam" has 12 beats, which is double "Randam Kaalam." "Naalam Kaalam" has 24 beats, which is double "Muunaam Kaalam." Each level must be completed in the same time it takes to play 3 beats of "Onnam Kaalam." This is why "Onnam Kaalam" is called the "thalam," or basic rhythm.

"Vaai Thari" is the drum-like sound made by students while beating the Chenda. Here are examples of "Vaai Thari" for "Tha Ki Ta" in the first, second, third, and fourth "Kaalam":

• Ki-(Ta) Tha-(Ka) Tha-(Ri) → Six sounds are made, but only three beats are counted.
• Ki-Ta Tha-Ka Tha-Ri → Six sounds are made, and six beats are counted.
• Ki-Ta-Tha-Ka Tha-Ri-Ki-Ta Tha-Ka-Tha-Ri → Twelve sounds are made, and twelve beats are counted.
• Ki-Ta-Tha-Ka-Tha-Ri-Ki-Ta Tha-Ka-Tha-Ri-Ki-Ta-Tha-Ka Tha-Ri-Ki-Ta-Tha-Ka-Tha-Ri

• കീ…ട ത…ക താ…രി
• കീ…ട ത…ക താ…രി
• കിട.തക തരി.കിട തക.തരി
• കിടതക.തരികിട തകതരി.കിടതക തരികിട.തകതരി /

Kaalam concepts

"Kaalam" (കാലം) refers to a level of speed that increases in a pattern, often used in music. The first level, called "Onnam Kaalam" (ഒന്നാം കാലം), is the basic rhythm, or "thalam" (താളം), that sets the foundation for a percussion performance called "melam." After mastering "Onnam Kaalam," students learn "Randam Kaalam" (രണ്ടാം കാലം), the second level, followed by "Moonnaam Kaalam" (മൂന്നാം കാലം), the third level, and "Naalam Kaalam" (നാലാം കാലം), the fourth level. A skilled Chenda performer may practice up to 7, 8, 9, or 10 levels of "Kaalam" depending on their training and experience.

For example, if a performer starts with 3 beats and completes them in 4 seconds, this is called "Onnam Kaalam" of 3 beats. "Randam Kaalam" would then involve 6 beats in 4 seconds, "Moonnaam Kaalam" would be 12 beats in 4 seconds, and "Naalam Kaalam" would be 24 beats in 4 seconds. If the performer starts with 4 beats in 4 seconds, "Randam Kaalam" would be 8 beats in 4 seconds, and "Moonnaam Kaalam" would be 16 beats in 4 seconds. If the same 4 beats are completed in 2 seconds instead, "Randam Kaalam" would be 8 beats in 2 seconds, and "Moonnaam Kaalam" would be 16 beats in 2 seconds.

The time it takes to complete one "Kaalam" is called "Thalavattam" (താളവട്ടം). The first level, "Onnam Kaalam," is also known as "thalam," which serves as the basic rhythm for the entire percussion performance.