Rana Prathap first held the chenda at the age of six under the tutelage of his father Mohanan, an expert in indigenous musical genres of Kerala, ahead of his participation in a local temple festival.
A Plus Two student of Government Model Higher Secondary School at Kodumunda near Pattambi, Rana Parthap is an expert in Melam and Thayambaka.
The school chenda team comprising Rana Prathap. C. Ajith, P. Krishnaprasad, M.V. Gokul, and M. Nandakumar won A Grade in Chendamelam and Thayambaka in the State School Youth Festival this year for the fourth consecutive time.
“Even after leaving school, we will continue our association with percussion. We will remain a professional group even while continuing our studies,” said Rana Prathap. The group is now being trained by Kalamandalam Muraleedharan.
“These boys hail from families of percussionists. The school was successful in bringing new dimensions to their creative impulse,” said Smitha Haridas, a teacher at the school. Moreover, the institution provides venue for percussion training.
Incidentally, Rana Prathap’s brother M. Krishnaprasad is also a known chenda performer and trainer.
“The school has helped in developing our prospects as percussionists. We will carry forward the legacy of Kodumunda by rededicating ourselves to percussion,” said Ajith, who has excelled in Elathalam.
“There was a time when percussion was considered by some sections as a lowly activity. However, there was tremendous encouragement from the audience at the State School Youth Festival,” said Nandakumar, who specialises in Elathalam.
