Onam follows heavy raindrops in the months of Edavam, Mithunam and Karkidakam. The cycle of festivities starts in Chingam with the harvest and both villages and towns are immersed in festivities. Chenda has the pride of place from day one of these festivities that merge int the flurry of poorams and temple festivals in the subsequent months, lasting till the next Medam (May).
It may be an irony that chenda is called an asura vadyam and Onam brings the nostalgia of happy days spent under benevolent asura king Mahabali. The beats of chenda jell with another popular art, pulikali, that is integral to Onam festivities. People of Thrissur take it to their heart on the fourth Onam with grand shows on the streets where artistes sway to the rhythmic beats of chenda.
Thrikkakara temple in Ernakulam, which has its temple festival along with Onam with its deity being Vamana and closely linked to Onam, sets the stage for the first Melathayambaka of the season.
In fact, the Kerala atmosphere almost always resonates with one or the other rhythm, either that of rain or of festivities. But Onam brings in a unique dimension with people forgetting caste and creed coming together to celebrate it in offices, homes and in public places. Malayalis all over the world celebrate it and this is also the time when artistes like me are drawn to foreign shores, especially the Gulf, where the rhythm of the land echoes as our brethren far away celebrate the grand festival with nostalgia.
Even though it is said chenda has originated from a place called Moravia, it is most widely used in God’s Own Country and hence Kerala is its real home. At one point, it was used by the elite and a particular section, but today it is in everybody’s hands. Even a child is fond of it as toy and the elders buy it for them.
Singari melam has become a part of the opening of shops and their festivals these days. A little behind, we can remember the days when cinema announcements were taken along with chenda. The sound of chenda remains the most profound and authentic and arresting rhythmic sound around.
Kathakali chenda is one of the most mesmerising experiences for any art lover. When a lotus blooms and when Dussasana is killed, it is the chenda that takes it to ears of the connoisseur as he enjoys it, with eyes on the mudra. My style on the chenda always has that touch of kathakali chenda.
Chenda is not only there in Kathakali but also in padayani and theyyam. Thayambaka is another exquisite product of chenda apart from the melams. But to enjoy any classical art, we need to have some grounding in that art. In the case of chenda also, that is needed. Thanks to the media, that awareness is happening now in Kerala.
