A thayambaka performance on the chenda has its focus on the stick-and-palm rolls produced on the itanthala (treble) of the chenda, while the rhythm is laid by his fellow instrumentalists on the valanthala (bass) chendas and ilatalam (cymbals). Thayambaka, believed to have flourished during the feudal era, spans an average of 90 minutes.
In which the main player at the centre improvises rhythmically on the beats of half-a-dozen or a few more chenda and ilathalam players around.
