Sopanam School of Panchavadyam, founded by Thimila artiste Manikandan E V aka SanthoshAlamkode on 09 Dec 2010, is a training centre cum performing group for traditional Kerala percussions like Chenda, Thimila, Madhalam, Edaykka, Kombu, Kuzhal and Ilathaalam, which are used in various traditional orchestrations like Panchavadyam, Thayambaka, Panchaarimelam, PaandiMelam, Keli etc.

To manage the activities of Sopanam School and its associated activities, a trust 'Sopanam Cultural and Education Trust' was formed on 26th July 2012. The main objectives of Sopanam Cultural and Education Trust are to give training in traditional percussions, irrespective of religion, cast or gender, participate in cultural as well as temple festivals, popularize the tradition of Kerala percussions among the public and involve in research and innovations.

The debut performance of the first batch of percussion students, (titled VadyaPranavam)which include 101 students and 100 supporting artistes, altogether 201 artistes, has placed in the Limca Book of Records. Similarly, the debut performance of 101 Thayambaka artistes, with a total of 201 artistes in the orchestration, performed in 2015 (titled Thalavykhari) also placed in the Limca Book of Records.

Since its beginning Sopanam School of Panchavadyam has given basic training in traditional percussions like Chenda, Thimila, Madhalam, Edaykka ,Kombu, Kuzhal and Elathalam to over a thousand students, who are from various walks of life. The training sessions are usually two hours in a day, conducting classes on School holidays, public holidays or in the late evenings. Generally one can complete their basic course within a year. Sopanam's training centres functions at various cultural spaces like Schools, Temples, Cultural clubs, etc. and spread out in the districts Malappuram, Palakkad and Thrissur. Since 2018, an administrative office of the trust and school function at a rented building in Kandanakam, near Edappal in Malappuram district.

The head of Sopanam School of Panchavadyam is Director and since its formation MrSanthoshAlamkode is the Director who is also the elected Chairman of the trust. The trainers are called as Asan. The panel of trainers/Asans in the school are SanthoshAlamkode (Director), AjithAlamkode, SudheeshAlamkode, Suresh Alamkode, P C Velayudhan, MuraliAlamkode and SujithKottul.

During the last 13 years, the school has given basic training in traditional percussions to around 1250 persons, including professionals and employed. In this period, the artistes of Sopanam School of Panchavadyam have performed in many public functions, especially in temple festivals.