🥁Krishnayanam 2026: two days of Kathakali, Chenda & Kerala’s Rhythms

May 13
1 min read

Some events in Kerala are not just performances.They feel more like stepping into another world — one filled with drums, ritual theatre, mythology, and rhythms powerful enough to shake the entire hall.

On May 26 - 27, Thiruvananthapuram will host Krishnayanam 2026, a grand cultural celebration honoring the 60th birthday of legendary chenda maestro Kalamandalam Krishnadas.

The program includes:

• Kathakali - Kerala’s classical dance-theatre, where mythology is told through makeup, gestures, facial expressions and eye movements. • Chenda - a powerful vertical drum and one of the most iconic sounds of Kerala temple festivals. • Keli - a traditional percussion prelude that historically announced the beginning of a performance. • Thayambaka - a virtuosic solo chenda performance built around rhythm, speed and improvisation. • Melam - a large percussion ensemble where several musicians build a powerful rhythmic structure together.

The first day begins around 4:00 PM, gradually building into a full evening of percussion and Kathakali. On May 27, the festival continues from the morning:🥁 around 9:20 AM

This is one of those rare events where visitors can experience Kerala’s classical arts in a truly authentic atmosphere — far beyond short tourist-stage performances. 📍 Where

Karthika Thirunal Theatre, East Fort, Trivandrum

📅 When

26–27 May 2026

⏰ Time

May 26 - from around 4:00 PM May 27 - from around 9:00 AM (main evening performances start after 6:00 PM)

🎟 Entry

Free Entry