Chenda
The Chenda is a cylindrical percussion instrument used widely in the state of Kerala, Tulu Nadu of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in India. In Tulu Nadu it is known as chande. Chenda is a majestic instrument widely used in Kerala. There is an ancient saying that all other 18 vadayas come under Chenda.
The loud and rigid sound of chenda makes it one of the rare instruments in this world. Chendamelam or the chenda percussion ensemble has an important place among the various percussion art forms of Kerala like Pandi, Panchari, Dhruvam, Adantha, Anjadantha, Chemba, Chembada and Tripuda. Of them, Pandi and Panchari are the most popular.