Veekku Chenda
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 – 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...