How a 'Chenda Melam' group is inspiring a generation in North America

Even if their minds live in the United States, their hearts tread through the green lands of Kerala. This was why a few Malayalis residing on the East Coast region of North America came together with much joy and splendour to form their own Chenda Melam group, a mesmerizing percussion ensemble popular in Kerala.

Sanjith Nair works in the IT sector and is a passionate and professional percussionist. He is the lead mentor and teacher of the PA-NJ (Pennsylvania-New Jersey) Vadhya Vedhi, a Panchari Melam musical group from the tri-state area. The group opened with training sessions for both men and women.

"Early on at community events, the Chenda Melam performances came across as an event with people playing the instrument just to grove to the music. That is why some of us decided to learn the instrument with all respect and dedication and not as mere entertainment," says Sanjith Nair. 

The group members receive lessons and training from Kalamandalam Shivadas Ashaan from Thrissur. With in-person and online classes, Kalamandalam Shivadas Ashaan has spearheaded this team to imbibe the lessons on Chenda Melam. 

"No matter how sore our hands got or how many callouses formed, the group always showed intense determination during practice hours," adds Sanjith Nair.  

The vibrations from their Chenda perhaps resonated well enough that the group was invited to play at the Kerala Piravi celebrations at the Consulate General of India’s New York office. 

Valsan Vellalath, an IT professional in New York, reiterates that growing up in Thrissur, his childhood activities included witnessing Chenda Melam countless times, "Chenda Melam was always there around me growing up. I needed to reconnect with my roots, and this was a dream come true." 

This group has had their audiences watch them with stunned silence. But, almost always, deafening applause reverberates throughout the venues they perform when their performances reach a crescendo. 

"People come up and ask us about our training sessions and if we would accept new members; it is very encouraging for us to see that there are young kids who want to learn Chenda as well,” adds Valsan Vellalath.

With awe-inspiring performances, this team has left an indelible mark in the minds of its audience. 

"The group would train for hours together every week, especially when we were invited to play at an event. We push our limits and perfect every beat and rhythm," adds Valsan Vellalath. 

Prem Ramachandran, a senior director at the brand management company, Authentic, and a western drums percussionist, felt the need to connect to his roots in Kerala; simultaneously, he liked the challenge of mastering the instrument while flawlessly executing complex rhythmic patterns and synchronizing definite beats with the other percussionists on stage. 

With two years of rigorous training, the group has developed this passion and interest in Chenda Melam. They have inadvertently become this team of men and women who come together because they have one common interest, the sound of Chenda resonating through the air.  

"The group members pounding on the drums was a loud and boisterous experience. So many times, the audience was left spellbound, almost always cheering to each thunderous beat," adds Prem Ramachandran.  

Aparna Menon, Head of US digital marketing, TB Bank, and Kathak dancer, recalls accompanying her family to festivals and cultural events in Kerala, where the highly sought-after Chenda Melam performance would be. This memory excited her to master the craft with all its skill, technique, and sheer artistry. 

"Rhythm in music plays a huge role as a Kathak dancer. I felt Chenda Melam worked on similar principles. I could easily draw parallels to the math, the counts, and rhythm-based harmony," adds Aparna Menon.  

For Aparna, being part of the Chenda Melam was not only for women's representation, but as a mother, she wanted to carry forward the rich cultural heritage of Kerala into the minds of her kids born and raised in the US. 

In addition, Aparna, who has been training in Chenda for years, finds it exciting to play the instrument with in-phase coordination while perfecting the timing, maintaining the tempo, and aligning one's body movements with the rest of the percussionists in the group.

The PA-NJ Vadhya Vedhi has etched its name while giving enticing performances with versions mesmerizing the audience. Although the group started with fewer women than the number of interested men, their spectacular performances from the first batch of percussionists have sparked a newfound interest in bringing in more women and first-generation Indian-American kids to learn Chenda. 

While learning the intricate techniques, rhythms, and literature of the Chenda Melam, the 60-member team, at varying levels of training, yearns to practice tirelessly until their skill and dedication begin to shine throughout North America.

Here is a glimpse of them performing: