percussionists in Kerala make their Chendas from Vellarkad village for it is famous for the quality of the instrument. Types of Chenda Chendas are of different types, depending upon the diameter of the "Chenda Vattam" (ചെണ്ട വട്ടം) they are called "Ettara Veechan Chenda" (എട്ടര വീച്ചാൺ ചെണ്ട) (8.5), "Ompathu Veechan Chenda" (ഒമ്പത് വീച്ചാൺ ചെണ്ട) (9), "Ompathe Kal Veechan Chenda" (ഒമ്പതേക്കാൽ വീച്ചാൺ ചെണ്ട)(9 1/4), "Ompathara Veechan Chenda" (ഒമ്പതര വീചാൻ ചെണ്ട)(9.5), "Ompathe Mukkal Veechan Chenda" (ഒൻപതേ മുക്കാൽ വീചാൻ ചെണ്ട) (9 3/4), "Ompathe Mukkal Kali Chenda" (ഒൻപതേ മുക്കാൽക്കാലേ വീചാൻ ചെണ്ട)(> 9 3/4 but < 10). These Chendas are used for different purposes especially for different art forms. Depending upon the size, structure and function of the Chenda, they are classified as, "Veekku Chenda" (വീക് ചെണ്ട) or "Acchan Chenda" (അച്ഛൻ ചെണ്ട), "Uruttu Chenda" (ഉരുട്ട് ചെണ്ട), "Muri Chenda" etc. "Uruttu Chenda" (ഉരുട്ട് ചെണ്ട) is used to play variations in music. It is used to lead the orchestra. It is called the ""Pramanavadhya"" (Leading instrument). The "Chenda Vattam" (ചെണ്ട വട്ടം) of the "Uruttu Chenda" is always the "Edam Thala" or the "Left Head" which is made of soft, single cow skin. The meaning of "uruttu" (ഉരുട്ട്) in Malayalam language is "rolling". The artist produce sound on "Uruttu Chenda" by rolling his right hand wrist. During the first beat the palm holding the stick will face the artist (in), then during the second beat (using the same right hand) the palm would face the opposite side (out). This is done by rolling the wrist. "Veekku Chenda" (വീക്ക് ചെണ്ട) or "Acchan Chenda" (അച്ഛൻ ചെണ്ട) is used to keep the "thalam" (താളം) or the basic rhythm. The "Chenda Vattam" (ചെണ്ട വട്ടം) of the "Veekku Chenda" is always the "Valam Thala" or the "Right Head" which is made of multiple layer of skin to produce a bass sound. The meaning of "Veekku" in Malayalam language is "beating hard". The artist produce sound on "Veekku Chenda" by hitting the drum using a stick without twisting or rolling his wrist. Chenda Melam A "Chenda Melam" means percussion using Chenda. The Chenda is used as a percussion instrument for almost all Kerala art forms like Kathakali, Kodiyattam, Theyyam etc. Chenda melam is the most popular form in Kerala, for more than 300 years. A Chenda melam is an integral part of all festivals in Kerala. There are 7 types of "melangal" viz Panchari melam, Champa, Chempada, Adantha, Anchadatha, Druvam and Pandi melam. The earlier