Chenda Melam, known as a traditional Kerala temple percussion ensemble, is a powerful classical music form rooted in ritual and community celebration. Centered on the chenda drum, and accompanied by instruments like ilathalam and kuzhal, it is performed during temple festivals, processions, and cultural events. The ensemble follows a disciplined rhythmic structure, building intensity through synchronized beats and crescendos. Chenda Melam represents collective artistry, physical endurance, and spiritual energy. Beyond performance, it reflects Kerala’s social traditions, temple culture, and the transmission of indigenous knowledge across generations through rigorous practice and oral learning systems.