Kathakali Drumming and Singing Workshop
Kathakali Drumming and Singing Workshop
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Drumming and Singing Workshop with the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company Musicians
Discover the music of South India and Kathakali in this rare opportunity to meet and play with world-class drummers and singers from Kerala.
Ahead of their evening performance at The Box Arts Club, bring your own drum and join the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company musicians in a fun and informal session exploring the music of the Kerala region of South India.
The workshop is led by experienced and talented professional singers Kalamandalam Mohan and Krishna Praveen, the group will learn the scales, and a simple chant with our singers leading in a fun and uplifting harmony that never fails to bring people together.
With drummers Sadanam Ramakrishnan and Kalamandalam Aneesh, you'll learn two different drumming styles - a hand drumming technique used for playing Madalam drums, and a technique using sticks which is used for playing Chenda drums.
Under their expert guidance, enjoy exploring different rhythms and tempos before everything is put together in an exhilarating conclusion, where the Kerala drummers and any more experienced workshop participants will improvising on top of, and around, the singing and rhythms the group has learned together.
The session will feature the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company singers, who will teach the group the foundations of Carnatic singing - one of the world's oldest classical music traditions, with complex tunes and rhythmic patterns that are an intrinsic part of South Indian spiritual and cultural expression. Together with singers Kalamandalam Mohan and Krishna Praveen, the group will learn the scales, and a simple chant with our singers leading in a fun and uplifting harmony that never fails to bring people together.
Carnatic singing and Madalam and Chenda traditional instruments and styles of play are integral to Kerala culture and an essential part of Kathakali performances. Come back for the performance after the workshop and see these amazing musicians in action.
Tickets for this Kerala music workshop are free to ticket holders for the evening Kathakali Theatre performance, though spaces are limited and subject to availability. Purchase your performance ticket first, and use the voucher code provided on your order confirmation to then book your place on this workshop for free.
Information for workshop attendees
You will need to bring something to drum on, but this does not need to be a specific kind of instrument, or even an instrument at all! Any kind of stick on a piece of wood will be great to beat out a rhythm.
This workshop is open to everyone, whether you are an experienced musician or complete beginners. Please note that under 18s must be accompanied by an adult ticket holder, and that while children are welcome, this session is more suitable for adults and older children.
Kathakali evil character. Photo credit Mark Bennett.
About Kathakali
Major international Kathakali artists from Kerala, India, return to Britain for a KATHAKALI HERITAGE PROJECT 2026 where Kathakali, Kalaripayattu, and Mohiniattam unite to celebrate Kerala culture, heritage and people. Sit back, relax, and let Kathakali take you into the magical world of storytelling. Let the stunning costumes, incredible makeup, and highly experienced actors, transformed beyond recognition, take you back in time when Kathakali stories were told in the village temples of Kerala to highlight morality and human relationships
About the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company
The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company brought Kathakali to this country in 1987 and made a base in Southampton. From this multi-cultural city, the company have taken Kathakali throughout the UK, and internationally, bringing its rich and ancient culture to thousands of people of all ages, cultural backgrounds and abilities. They strive to make the ancient art of Kathakali as accessible as possible and are delighted to be bringing Kathakali to the people of this country again.
About the artists
Drummers:
Sadanam Ramakrishnan
Trained at Sadanam and his second visit to the UK a sensitive drummer that reflects the emotion of the story.
Kalamandalam Aneesh
Trained at the Kerala Kalamandalam is a superb drummer who supports the actor to create and dramatic atmosphere within the play.
Singers:
Kalamandalam Mohan.
Trained at the Kerala Kalamandalam he has been a member of the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company since 1987 providing the melody and emotion of the play through his outstanding singing. He has led music workshops for all abilities all over the UK, and internationally to make Kathakali more accessible.
Krishna Praveen.
Trained privately in classical singing and has accompanied Kalamandalam Mohan on many occasion. Together their voices create perfect harmonies.
KATHAKALI THEATRE - THE PERFORMANCE
Find out more and book tickets for the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company performance at the Box Arts Club here
Photo credit Mark Bennett
KATHAKALI ACROSS MILTON KEYNES
This performance is part of a series of events in Milton Keynes:
A CELEBRATION OF KERALA EXHIBITION
MILTON KEYNES MUSEUM
23rd September to 7th November 2026
Open 10am - 5pm
Discover the ancient arts and culture of Kerala, through an informative exhibition of beautiful, colourful Kathakali, Mohiniattam, Bharatanatyam and Kalaripayattu costumes, the traditional dress of Kerala, and photographs.
Alongside the exhibition, Milton Keynes museum is running the following activities
AN AFTERNOON OF KERALA WITH ED ARTS.
10th October 2026
2pm - 4pm
Meet a Milton Keynes based Malayalee organisation founded to expose the remarkable arts and culture of Kerala. Learn about Mohiniattam, the female classical dance of Kerala. Discover the history, background and what is happening within the Kerala community of Milton Keynes.
AN AFTERNOON WITH KALARIPAYATTU
17th October 2026
2pm– 4pm
Led by Hrishikesh Kizhikkiyil a master of the ancient Martial Art of Kalaripayattu.
Talk directly with the artist and discover the history, and background, to Kalaripayattu, the first martial art in the world, originally used to train warriors in battle.Practiced be warrior castes who served the Kings before British rule.
AN AFTERNOON WITH KATHAKALI
28th / 29th / 30th October
2pm – 4pm
See the costumes on display, view the makeup being applied, meet the artists then see a performance telling powerful and emotional stories about human relationships. Learn about the history and how Kathakali evolved over the last 600 years.
For a full list of activities that the Kala Chethena Kathakali company, kindly funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, are bringing to the UK in 2026, please view their website - What`s on/Events Dates
For more information please contact:
The Kala Chethena Kathakali company
1, Holland Road,
Woolston
Southampton,
SO19 9FW
Tel: +44 2380 420114 / +44 7740123070
Email: barbaravijayakumar@yahoo.co.uk
Location
The Box Arts Club, MK11 3HB