The Chendamelam (High School) event at the District School Arts Festival got off to a thumping start with a performance by girls from Holy Angels’ Convent school, Vanchiyoor.
Prior to that, girls from the school led by Sreelakshmi J.S. had bagged the top spot in the HSS Chenda/ Thayambaka event. It was sweet success in the contest in High School category too, for the school.
Akshaya, a member of the HSS Chenda/ Thayambaka team, said they were optimistic about the results, though boys’ teams posed a formidable challenge. The increasing presence of women in percussion ensembles was an inspiration, she said. — Staff Reporter
Rahitha Krishnadas, leader of the High Sschool (HS) Chendamelam team, said she was happy with the team’s performance but it was too early to talk about the competition. Rahitha had led her team to second place at the State level last time in Thayambaka, but it was her first outing in Chendamelam.
Daughter of Chendamelam exponent Kalamandalam Krishnadas, Rahitha is leaning to play chenda under the tutelage of her father. In fact, it was Mr. Krishnadas who trained the school students for the festival.
