As an enraged Bhima tears into Dushasanan, the beats of the chenda reach a crescendo, resonating with the characters’ anger, passion and rage on stage. After that act of violence, Bhima is struck with remorse and, later, falls at the feet of Lord Krishna, seeking forgiveness. By then the beats of the chenda are a murmur, the gentle beats in tune with the mood of the actors.
For long, the chenda has played a major role in shaping the soundscape of the Kathakali stage, providing the rhythmic background to the steps, mudras (hand gestures) and movements of the actors. As an aficionado of the art form and its storytelling, Vinu Vasudevan has been keenly following the evolution of Kathakali — its stages and performances.
