Chenda is a majestic instrument widely used in Kerala. There's an ancient saying that all other 18 vadayas (instruments) come under Chenda. The loud, rigid sound of Chenda makes it one of the rare instruments in the world. Thayambaka is played on both Chenda and Mizhavu.
#Divine
#Divine
Chenda is used in art forms like Kathakali, Keli and Melam and for temple rituals. It is a Percussion Instrument. Its Sanskrit name is Dindimam. The cylindrical wooden part of the instrument is made of jackfruit tree wood. 
It is also made using White teak wood, Cassia fistula wood and Sugar palm wood. The one carved out from the core of the jackfruit tree is considered special. The left and right sides (edanthala and valanthala) of this drum produce two different sounds.
The musical notes can be adjusted with the strings that hold the 2 sides together. The edanthala(left side) is the side that is actually beaten and valanthala(right side) is used to set rhythm. The valanthala is regarded as devavadyam(divine)& edanthala as asuravadyam (demonic).
The valanthala is played for temple rituals and is also played during Kathakali portions dealing with divinity.
Chenda is an inevitable musical instrument in all form of cultural activities in Kerala.
Chenda is an inevitable musical instrument in all form of cultural activities in Kerala.
