Chenda Facts for Kids

The Chanda (Malayalam: ചെണ്ട) is a cool drum from India! It's a cylindrical drum, which means it's shaped like a tube. You'll find it a lot in places like Kerala, Karnataka (where it's called chende), and Tamil Nadu. It's a really important part of the culture in Kerala.

What is a Chanda?
How is a Chanda Made?
Where is the Chanda Played?
Who Makes Chandas?
Images for kids
See also

What is a Chanda?

The Chanda is known for its loud and powerful sound. This drum has two main sides. The left side is called "Edamthala" (meaning Left Head). The right side is called "Valamthala" (meaning Right Head).

The "Edamthala" is made with one or two layers of cow skin. The "Valamthala" has five to seven layers of skin. This makes the "Valamthala" side produce a deeper, bass sound.

How is a Chanda Made?

Making a Chanda is a special craft!

The drum's body is made from the soft wood of the jackfruit tree (called Varikka Plavu). It's about 1 foot wide and 1.5 inches thick.
Parts of the body are made a bit thinner to help the drum make a great sound.
The drum skins are dried in the shade.
These skins are then attached to wooden rings. These rings are called "Chenda Vattam" (ചെണ്ട വട്ടം).
The rings are made from a local palm tree (Eeranpana) or bamboo.
A special glue, made from the seeds of a "pananchi maram" tree, helps fasten the skins.
To shape the wooden rings, they are boiled for a whole day. Then they are bent into a circle and dried.
Only the wooden rings with the skin are replaced when the sound isn't perfect anymore. A busy Chanda player might need about 15 new rings each year!

Where is the Chanda Played?

The Chanda is mainly played at Hindu temple festivals. It's also used in many traditional art forms in Kerala.

It's an important part of performances like Kathakali, Koodiyattam, Kannyar Kali, and Theyyam.
It's also played in a dance-drama called Yakshagana. This is popular in Tulu Nadu, Karnataka. A similar drum called "Chande" is used in northern Yakshagana.
The Chanda is sometimes called an Asura Vadyam. This means it's an instrument that usually plays loud, powerful music, not soft, harmonious tunes.
The Chanda is a must-have instrument in almost all cultural events in Kerala.

Who Makes Chandas?

In Kerala, only a few families still make Chandas. These families are known as "Perumkollan" (smith) families. They live in villages like Peruvembu, Nemmara, Lakkidi, Vellarkad, and Valappaya. Many famous Chanda players get their drums from Vellarkad village. This village is known for making very high-quality instruments.