Chenda Melam: Percussion using Chenda, musical instrument from Kerala

From the archive record

South Indian percussionists performing Chenda Melam in Kerala. Chenda Melam is the most popular art form in Kerala, for more than 300 years. A Chenda melam is an integral part of all festivals in Kerala. There are 7 types of "melangal" viz Panchari melam, Champa, Chempada, Adantha, Anchadatha, Druvam and Pandy melam. The earlier 6 melams are called "Chempada melangal". Other than these seven "melams"" two more melams are there in Kerala "Navam" and "Kalpam". The "Chenda Vattam" or the skin used on Chenda should be very thin for classic Chenda Melam like Panchari melam, Pandi Melam or for Thayambaka but for Shinkari Melam Chenda the "Chenda Vattam" are hard, which are very cheap to make. "Shinkari Melam" is not considered as a classical form of art. Source : Wikipedia This footage is part o