About the Team
Motown Melam: Bringing Onam to Your Melam
Born in Detroit — the heart of America’s “Motor City” — Motown Melam is a vibrant 15-member Chenda team that has been echoing the cultural heartbeat of Kerala across North America since 2021. Drawing inspiration from the legacy of Motown Records, they fuse tradition with innovation, offering electrifying performances rooted in the soul of Kerala.
Their shows are a powerful blend of traditional Shinkari Melam and fusion rhythms enhanced by instruments like the dhol, rhythm pad, violin, and more. This cross-cultural mix creates an immersive experience that resonates far beyond conventional Melam.
Motown Melam isn’t just a performance group — they are cultural ambassadors preserving and celebrating Malayalee identity in the diaspora. Their dedication to authenticity while embracing innovation has made them a standout force in community events weddings, private events and large-scale festivals across the U.S. and Canada.
At Maha Onam 2025, they’ll light up Sankofa Square with two powerful segments featuring both traditional and modern fusion Melam — a sonic celebration you won’t forget.
