Mangaluru: The villagers of Balila in Sullia taluk had invited a `Kerala Chende team` during the immersion of the idol deity Sharada during Sharadotsava programme three years ago. As the performance of `Chende` (a cylindrical percussion instrument) team attracted most, some youth in the same village decided to form a separate Chende team of their own. They took the help of an expert drummer of Kerala and started to study the beats of `Chende.` They named their team `Sri Mahavishnu Singari Mela` and now it is one of the famous Chende teams in Dakshina Kannada district.
It is very common in the recent days that each and every programme, be it religious or social, the`Chende` performance is a must in coastal Karnataka. Though it is an art form of Kerala, now it is seen more in Karnataka also. As the villagers of Balila in Sullia taluk evinced their interest in `Chende`, a teacher of Balila Vidyabodhini High School Lokesh Bellige, who is basically from Kasargod district, hired an expert drummer from Kerala. They started to study the beats of `Chende` on December 4, 2016. After a continuous study for nearly four months, a 24-member team fully prepared to give a show.
The team has been trying to provide a local touch to the art also. The team now comprises 30 members-16 youth and 14 college students. However, when it goes to any programme to perform, the number of the members would be 24 in which eight each play `Chende`, `Tala` and `Dol`(drums). The Rangapravesha (maiden performance) of the team was held in the month of April, 2017. Later, it started giving performances at various places in and around the district. It also performed in Bengaluru, Hassan, Raichur and Kerala. Within a short span of 18 months, it has given over 60 shows.
Teachers, drivers and daily wagers all part of same team!
The members of this team have no background of music or any art. Some of them are working as daily wagers and drivers. Few of them are engaged in the teaching profession and also there are college students and government employees. “As we practise during the early hours of the morning and late evening, it does not hamper our studies or our professional life”, they say.
‘Feeling like my college days are back’
Harish Dolthila, an employee of Mescom, who is also a member of this `Chende` team recollects that his whole lifestyle had changed after he started performing. “When I was studying in school and college, I use to participate in extracurricular activities. However, I was forced to detach from such hobbies once I started working. But after I joined this Chende team and started performing, I feel like my college days are back”, he adds.
‘Helps youth to detach bad habits’
Lokesh Bellige, who is also the president of Singari Mela told Newskarnataka that they were planning to teach this art to more people. “As young boys and girls in our village are keen on learning `Chende`, we are teaching them now. This unique art form helps youth to detach from bad habits and pursue their passion. Our intention is to keep the Kerala art alive in our village. As we get honorarium also for our performance, it supplements our income also. Students of our team utilise the money for their studies also”, he adds.
