Chenda is a cylindrical wooden drum from Kerala state of India. It is also used in some parts of Karnataka state and usually called Chende.

It is a percussion instrument used in Kathakali, Koodiyattam and related forms of dances in Kerala. It is also used in a folk dance-drama called Yakshagana popular in Karnataka state.

A chenda has a length of 2 feet and a diameter of 1 foot. Both sides are covered with skin (usually cow skin). The chenda is suspended from the drummer's neck so that it hangs vertically, with the drummer facing the upper parchment of the covered skin. The drummer plays it by using two sticks to strike the upper parchment,that is mainly in chenda melam like Panchari Melam, Chembada, Adantha etc.. For in case of Thayambaka the performer performs with one stick and palm.