How a Malayali ‘Chanda’ contingent was done with Hanumink in Kachela

Jeffrey Kochuvethil and Jonathan Kochuvetiil for brothers and sisters, in birth and big Chicago, Illinois, A Chanda (Traditional Kerala Perkuition Instrument) In the 90s, during one of his visits, he was brought to the US by his grandfather Thomas Vattakatta, which was not the only innovation, but a remains of his roots in Thodupuzha, Kerala. This instrument gradually developed as a celebration for both, when he grew up in America.

Nine years later, pair performed with their band, Kochuvethil Beats ChendamelamAs drumors played traditional stretch instruments in a synchronized fashion in Cachela, one of the world’s largest music festivals. He performed with a wrapper and a companion Malayali, Hanumankand, famous to show Kerala on a global stage. Rapper performed his two latest hit ‘Big Dogs’ and recently ‘Run It Up’ at the festival in California in April.

Performance in cachela

“We have been following Hanumankind for a long time, and are big fans of his work. When we saw his name in line-up in November 2024, we were strange and immediately reached him and his team, especially with his debut concerts in the US, who was working with his brother with his brother, said that he said.” He said. “He practiced for months after the bands, we practiced and we were practiced for months, Performing in Kachela, “he says.

Cochuwetil Beats with Hanumink Photo Credit: Special System

“We opened it with him Chanda Beats; Many artists will not let us do so. He wanted to start Kerala on that platform, and allowed us to join him, “Jeffrey says, which is now collectively prominent with around 40 members, spread in the US, and performed with eight bandmates – Jonathan, Kiran Askha, Manu Sunny, Praneth Maduri, Robin Thomas, Jerry, Jerry Koshi, Job Gold Hall, and Carthikat.

Climbing

Brother -in -law grew up after seeing his father, Kunjchan Kochuvet Chanda With his friends in Chicago. Jeffrey believes that Chanda Music was heard within the American Malayali Church communities Peliparun (Church festival) and similar incidents till 2016. “Slowly, people were getting married in my circle, and they all wanted the same music at their weddings. People also wanted us in events and stage shows.”

Jonathan Kochuvethil and Jeffrey Kochuvet to Kochuvet Beats. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Eventually, the group traveled to the states with their music, combining the beat Chanda with music. “This American Malayali was ignored in the place of marriage,” says Jeffrey. The group remixed the cover songs of other South Indian songs, hip-hop tracks and Regonn Tracks (a popular music style from Puerto Rico).

The collective gradually added other devices such as Saxophone and violin. Since most artists have a background in collision, they also perform with DHOLs, especially for wedding processions.

Later, the people of North India living in the US started developing interest ChandaThus, due to its unique mixture of sounds, inviting the band to perform in weddings, Jeffrey says.

Members of the collective include the roots of various parts of India and the musicians of America. “One of our original members, Brian Hughe, is called Bryan Se Briyan ‘Hugathenparmbil’ (changing the name to make it more Malayali). We consider it like a Malayali, and he enjoys our culture,” says Jeffrey.

Kochuveettil Beats Team Photo | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Jeffrey says, “Our band’s name is Kochuwatil (small house), our operations are small, but we have a large family.”

In June 2023, the band performed at Times Square in New York at an event organized during the country’s visit to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He has also shared the stage with artists like MG Srikumar, Jassi Gift and Stephen Dewasi with artists.

The collective is currently preparing for a busy wedding season and wishes to do more shows this year. They are also eager to cooperate with other artists and expect more remixes.

Jeffrey connects, “This is always about joining our own culture. We were not born and raised in Kerala, but this is our vision, and we proudly show Malayali culture the best in our abilities in our abilities.”