Sadanam Divakara Marar

Sadanam Divakara Marar was an Indian percussionist, known for his scholarship on sopana sangeetham, marappani, parisha vadhyam and thimila paani and his mastery over various temple and ritual percussion instruments of traditional Kerala music.[1][2][3]

Sadanam Divakara Marar
Born(1937-04-29)April 29, 1937
Pazhoor, Piravom, Kerala, India
DiedJuly 29, 2014(2014-07-29) (aged 77)
Other namesK N Divakara Marar
OccupationPercussionist
Years active1960s to 2014
SpouseOmana Divakaran
Children3
Parent(s)Venkittaramanan Embranthiri
Kottarappattu Parukutti Marasyar
AwardsKerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi Fellowship
Vadyakala Visarad
Veera Srungala of Kerala Kalamandalam
WebsiteOfficial blog

Sopana Sangeetham is a form of Indian classical music that developed in the temples of Kerala in south India in the wake of the increasing popularity of Jayadeva's Gita Govinda or Ashtapadis.

Chenda (ചെണ്ട)

Biography

Most of the traditional percussion ensembles like parisha vadhyam and kotti paadi seva (ancient form of sopana sangeetham), says Divakara Marar, have been handed over from generation to generation as an inherited art form.[2]

Divakara Marar was born on 29 April 1937, to Venkittaramanan Embranthiri and Parukutti Marasyar Amma at Pazhoor, a small hamlet near the town of Piravom, Ernakulam district, in the south Indian state of Kerala.[1] Marar started learning music at the age of nine, under the tutelage of his uncles, Narayana Marar and Kunjikrishna Marar. Later, aged 18, he enrolled at Unnayi Warrier Smaraka Kalanilayam, Irinjalakuda, a known Kathakali institution and mastered chenda, under the guidance of Alankarathu Appu Marar. He, then, submitted himself to advanced training on chenda under the renowned chenda exponent, Chandra Mannadiar. This was followed by his training stint on thayambaka at Peroor Gandhi Seva Sadanam, which added the prefix of Sadanam to his name.[1][2]

He was married to Omana and the couple had two daughters, Radhika and Rethika, and a son, Rajesh.[4] Divakara Marar died on 29 July 2014, at his residence in Tripunithura, due to age related illnesses.[1]

Career

Different baanis (schools) are there for sopana sangeetham like that of Ramamangalam baani developed by the legendary singer Shadkala Govinda Marar, says Marar, Poduvaal baani popularised by the saintly singer, the late Neralattu Rama Poduval, and also the Guruvayoor baani of Janardhanan Nedungadi.[2]

Divakara Marar began his career as a teacher at RLV College of Music and Fine Arts, Tripunithura, where he taught kathakali chenda. He also taught many disciples through Padana kalaris (short term teaching camps), too. He retired as the Principal of Vaikkom Kshethra Kalapeetom[5] run by Travancore Devaswom Board. He remained a visiting professor at the institute and was active teaching at Ernakulam Siva Kshethra Vadhya Kalalayam and Kanayannoor Vadhya Kalalayam till his death.[2]

Marar has performed at many temples and festivals in Kerala throughout his career. He was also actively associated with the Viswa Kala Kendra[6] of Guru Gopinath, See India Foundation[7] and International Kathakali Kendra (International Centre for Kathakali), New Delhi,[8] throughout his career.

Awards and recognitions

Divakara Marar has received many awards and recognitions, a few of which are:

See also
Timila
  • Tribute – Part One[10]
  • Tribute – Part Two[11]
  • Temple performance on YouTube[12]
  • Tribute page of a student[13]
  • News report[14]
  • Blog report[15]

References
  1. "Hindu Bio". The Hindu. 30 July 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  2. "To Master, with love". Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  3. "Rhythm". Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  4. "Manorama". Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  5. "Kshetra kalapeedom". 10 October 2005. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  6. "Viswa Kala Kendra". Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  7. "See India Foundation". Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  8. "International Centre for Kathakali". Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  9. "Veera srungala". The Hindu. 6 October 2009. Archived from the original on 9 October 2009. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  10. "Tribute – Part One". YouTube. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  11. "Tribute – Part Two". YouTube. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  12. "Performance YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  13. "Student tribute". 22 May 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  14. "News report". Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  15. "Blog report". Retrieved 31 July 2014.
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