When I first learned to play the Chenda, it was purely for the love of rhythm. I loved the beat, the energy and the feeling of being part of a Melam - Percussion. I never imagined that this personal interest would eventually take me from the Bay Area to Philadelphia to be part of a Guinness World Record attempt.
Federation of Kerala Association of North America (FOKANA), brought together Chenda artists from across the United States, Canada and the Gurus from India, to attempt to break the previous Guinness World Record set in India for the largest Chenda ensemble.
From the Bay Area, we have close to 200 performers. But as the event approached, many who had initially signed up had to drop out. When the final list came out, I realized I was the only woman from our Bay Area group, with the rest being men.
It didn't discourage me.
I went anyway—with enthusiasm, curiosity and an open mind.
And that decision turned into one of the most memorable experiences of my Chenda journey.
What struck me most was how much this experience mirrored what we encounter in our professional lives.
1. Passion creates commitment.
I didn't learn Chenda because it was part of a career plan. I learned it because I loved it. Yet that passion created the discipline to practice, perform and keep showing up. In our careers too, genuine curiosity and passion often become the foundation for long-term excellence.
2. Show up even when the circumstances aren't perfect.
Plans changed. Participants dropped out. The weather didn't cooperate. The original outdoor performance had to be moved indoors because of the heat and humidity. The organizers had to work through additional logistics and Guinness World Records requirements.
The goal didn't change. The approach did.
That's adaptability—and it is one of the most important leadership skills.
3. A record is never created by one person.
445 people had to listen, synchronize, follow the same structure and play as one ensemble. Every individual mattered, but no individual could accomplish it alone.
That's exactly what high-performing teams do: individual accountability + collective responsibility.
4. Constraints can make teams better.
For the record attempt, we had to modify Anjaam Kaalam (is a degree of geometric speed) to meet the GWR rules and work with a limited set of instruments—Edamthala, Valamthala and Idathalam—rather than the fuller combination normally used in a traditional Chenda Melam.
We adjusted. We simplified. We stayed focused on the outcome.
In professional environments, constraints are often where creativity, prioritization and problem-solving really come alive.
5. Diversity becomes powerful when there is a shared purpose.
Hundreds of people. Different ages. Different professions. Different languages. Different parts of the India, US and Canada.
But when the sticks came together, there was only one rhythm.
That is the essence of great organizations: diversity of perspectives, united by a common purpose.
And then came the moment.
445 Chenda players.
One hall.
One rhythm.
One collective energy.
Together, we created a new Guinness World Record for the largest Chenda ensemble, surpassing the previous record set in India.
The news is still sinking in.
But what stays with me most isn't the number 445.
It's the experience of showing up, adapting, collaborating, trusting one another and creating something none of us could have created alone.
That is what music does.
And perhaps that is what great teams do too.
They transcend borders, languages, cultures and individual differences—and find a common rhythm.
I am grateful to our gurus, every fellow Chenda player from across the US and Canada, my Bay Area team, and the FOKANA organizers who made this historic experience possible.
I went to Philadelphia because I didn't want to miss an opportunity to play.
I came back realizing I had been part of something much bigger.
Sometimes the things we do simply because we love them teach us the most about who we are—and how we lead. 🥁
~ Dawn
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