Name: Chenda (Wikipedia) a wide-barrelled South Indian percussion instrument used widely in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Also known as: Chanda, Chenda Melam

Wikidata item: Q954983

External links:

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7b/29/01/7b2901c79da280eb9169987645c516a1.jpg: Image

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJSue0vbMIE: Sound Sample

Disambiguation: This instrument has a few varieties, depending on whether it is played in North or South India. It is also called Chenda Melam as 'Chenda' means 'cylindrical' and 'Melam' means 'percussion'. It is usually played as a lead in an ensemble of other instruments.

Description: It is a cylindrical wooden drum measuring 2 ft length and 1 ft in diameter. The cylindrical wooden part is made of jackfruit tree wood. There are 2 sides in a Chenda, both covered with cow skins. However, only 1 side is played. The player hangs it vertically from his/her left shoulder and plays it using 2 sticks. It is used as accompaniment in dance-drama art forms like Kathakali and for temple rituals.