Students of St. Joseph’s Boys’ HSS, Kozhikode who participated in the Chenda Melam competition at the 64th Kerala State School Arts Festival | Photo credit: KK Najeeb
Thrissur for most people means the land of Poorams. While frantic beats and tones form the heart of the city during Pooram, one would naturally expect a huge turnout when percussion ensembles like the chenda elam take center stage. But on Thursday (January 15, 2026) morning, when frenetic rhythms hung in the air as students enthusiastically played the notes of ‘Pancari melam’ and the intricate rhythmic structure of ‘Adantha melam’, the turnout at Holy Family CGHSS for the Chenda Melam (HSS) competition was not so great.
KV Manoj, principal of Vaduvanchal Government High School, says his team, which came from Wayanad, had high expectations. “Especially because the art of percussion is celebrated here,” he said. “We expected more people to come and encourage the young artists. If the event was held in the main place, maybe more people would come to see.”
MI Haseena, a teacher who had come all the way from Palakkad with her family just to attend the festival, had a different opinion. “While we are excited to watch these percussion performances, the people of Thrissur may opt for something else, the sheer reason being familiarity,” she said. “They’re used to the art form, so they may choose to pursue other arts.”
However, the low turnout failed to dampen the sense of excitement as the rhythmic beats penetrated the crowd. There was three-year-old Manav Krishna, who found two twigs and excitedly began tapping the air, trying to coordinate with the rhythms on stage.
Students of GHSS Vaduvanchal, Wayanad who participated in Chenda Melam competition at State School Arts Festival | Photo credit: KK Najeeb
Backstage, his brother S. Kailas was getting ready to perform with his team. As the notes on the stage reached a crescendo, members of the opposing team backstage also swayed, some gently tapping their chenda and coordinating with the notes on the stage.
Such is the power of percussion, they all began to pound with one pulsating rhythm. Stay there for 20 minutes, let the notes absorb you, you could become a chenda melam convert.
Seventeen-year-old twins KV Anjitha and KV Anjana of GHSS Vaduvanchal, Wayanad repeat in unison that they always wanted to play Chenda. “You don’t see many women playing this instrument,” said Anjana, who played the chenda along with her school team at the festival. This is what I always wanted to learn. It’s exciting.”
While the tones of Panchari melam and Pandi melam pulsated through, some students even attempted risky and difficult melams like Adantha melam.
Sreehari Vinod of BHSS St. Joseph’s, Kozhikode, said they started training from June. “We have to have the right coordination and rhythm,” he said. “So it takes a lot of practice. And we were trying a much more difficult Adantha melam. We wanted to avoid the usual melam and try something different.”
The modest crowd was entertained by a spirited performance on stage that produced plenty of palpable energy. And every participant went home with an “A” grade.
Published – 15 Jan 2026 18:45 IST
