Sadanam Divakara Marar | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1937-04-29)29 April 1937 Pazhoor,Piravom, Kerala, India |
| Died | 29 July 2014(2014-07-29) (aged 77) |
| Other names | K N Divakara Marar |
| Occupation | Percussionist |
| Years active | 1960s to 2014 |
| Spouse | Omana Divakaran |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Venkittaramanan Embranthiri Kottarappattu Parukutti Marasyar |
| Awards | Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi Fellowship Vadyakala Visarad Veera Srungala ofKerala Kalamandalam |
| Website | Official 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 ofJayadeva'sGita Govinda orAshtapadis.
Sadanam Divakara Marar was an Indian percussionist, known for his scholarship onsopana sangeetham,marappani,parisha vadhyam andthimila paani and his mastery over various temple and ritual percussion instruments of traditional Kerala music.[1][2][3]
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 ofPiravom,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 atUnnayi Warrier Smaraka Kalanilayam, Irinjalakuda, a knownKathakali institution and masteredchenda, 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 onthayambaka atPeroor Gandhi Seva Sadanam, which added the prefix ofSadanam 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]
Different baanis (schools) are there for sopana sangeetham like that of Ramamangalam baani developed by the legendary singerShadkala Govinda Marar,says Marar,Poduvaal baani popularised by the saintly singer, the lateNeralattu Rama Poduval, and also the Guruvayoor baani of Janardhanan Nedungadi.[2]
Divakara Marar began his career as a teacher atRLV College of Music and Fine Arts, Tripunithura, where he taught kathakali chenda. He also taught many disciples throughPadana kalaris (short term teaching camps), too. He retired as the Principal ofVaikkom Kshethra Kalapeetom[5] run byTravancore Devaswom Board. He remained a visiting professor at the institute and was active teaching atErnakulam Siva Kshethra Vadhya Kalalayam andKanayannoor 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] ofGuru Gopinath, See India Foundation[7] and International Kathakali Kendra (International Centre for Kathakali), New Delhi,[8] throughout his career.
Divakara Marar has received many awards and recognitions, a few of which are:
| Institutions | |
|---|---|
| Genres | |
| Traditional Instruments | |
| Awards | |
| Classical Musicians |
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| Traditional Musicians | |
| Film Music | |
| Popular Music | |
