A vibrant cultural evening marked the debut of a traditional Chenda Melam performance at Dharmashastha Kshetra, Kalewadi, Pune recently, showcasing the growing interest in Kerala’s temple art forms among the Malayali community in Pune.
The debut presentation was led by Soumya, who trained in chenda under the guidance of noted exponent Velayudhan Marar of Pune. She performed along with her son Aditya and fellow artistes Mahesh, Sarath and Siddharth, delivering an energetic and well-coordinated performance that captivated the audience.
The programme was inaugurated with the traditional lighting of the lamp by General Secretary Raveendran Nair and Guru Velayudhan Marar. The ceremony also featured classical performances, including an Ashtapadi recital by K. Narayana Marar and Hariharan P. Marar, while Sopanam music was rendered by Snija Vijesh Marar.
Dharmarajan Swamikal welcomed the gathering, highlighting the importance of preserving Kerala’s rich temple traditions beyond the state. Guru Velayudhan Marar proposed the vote of thanks.
The event stood as a testament to the dedication of artistes and organizers in promoting Kerala’s cultural heritage in Maharashtra, and was well received by devotees and art lovers alike.