At 70, Peruvanam Kuttan Marar’s iconic percussion mastery resonates, imprinting an enduring legacy on Kerala’s cultural heritage with rhythmic excellence.
Percussion maestro Peruvanam Kuttan Marar is turning seventy tomorrow. Renowned for his unparalleled leadership of the famous Elanjithara Melam for an impressive 24 consecutive years, Kuttan Marar’s mastery of diverse percussion instruments, coupled with his humility and graceful interactions with fellow drummers, has garnered well-deserved praise.
Among the 64 ‘Gramams’ that once divided Kerala, Peruvanam stands out for its rich cultural heritage. The Peruvanam Mahadeva Kshetram, with inscriptions dating back centuries, attests to the temple’s venerable history, having hosted 1440 Poorams(temple festival). The village has been a longstanding hub for percussion art, credited with giving birth to the renowned melam, Panchaari. Peruvanam Kuttan Marar, hailing from a lineage of great masters, proudly belongs to this esteemed tradition.
Early lessons to masterful melams
Initiated into the world of percussion under the tutelage of his father, Peruvanam Appu Marar, a revered percussionist, Kuttan began his training in Paani, the Conch, and Edakka at the age of ten. While his journey into melams commenced at 14, his introduction to Thayambaka occurred later at the age of 21, under the guidance of Kumarapuram Appu Marar for Thayambaka and Sreenarayanapuram Appu Marar for melappadam and purappadu.
Reflecting on his journey, Kuttan recalled, “It was my father’s desire that I undergo basic education and secure a job. My employment at Cherpu (CNN High School) after completing SSLC was fortuitous. Without it, I may not have attained the rank of percussionist that I hold today.”
Endowed with exceptional artistry and leadership, Kuttan presently serves as the ‘pramani’ (helmsman) of melams in various temple festivals across Kerala, including Thrissur, Guruvayur, Irinjalakuda, Aarattupuzha-Peruvanam, Tripunithura, and Ernakulam, among others.
A helmsman par excellence
His distinction as the helmsman of the Elanjithara (Paandi) Melam of Thrissur Pooram, featuring a contingent of 300 artists, the largest in the percussion world, attests to his unparalleled skill. Leading this extensive ensemble through a four-hour performance demands remarkable precision in tempo transitions while maintaining the fundamental rhythm.
In 2023, controversy arose when Paramekkavu Devaswom removed Kuttan from the prestigious Elanjithara Melam, preventing him from completing a remarkable 25 years as the helmsman—a record unmatched by stalwarts like Pallavur Appu Marar and Chakkamkulam Appu Marar.
Kuttan’s expertise extends beyond practical skills, encompassing a deep understanding of the theoretical aspects of rhythm. He has presented numerous papers at seminars, showcasing his profound knowledge. Additionally, he holds a unique position as the only artist capable of presenting the near-extinct melams of the Panchaari group—Chemba, Paana Chembada, Anchadantha, Adantha, and Dhruvam—with authority.
Expressing satisfaction over the growing interest in melams, particularly in southern Kerala, Kuttan is actively involved in mentoring a group of children at Peruvanam Appu Marar Smaraka Kshetra Kalapeedhom.
Over the four decades of his career, Kuttan has been showered with awards and titles. The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi conferred its prestigious fellowship upon him in 2011, with the last recipient being Pallassana Padmanabhan Marar in 1981. In the same year, the Government of India honored him with the national title ‘Padmasree.’
Major temples across the region have recognized his contributions with Veerasrunkhala and gold medallions. Titles such as ‘Melakalanidhi,’ ‘Melachakravarthy,’ and ‘Vadyothama’ from reputed cultural organizations worldwide further attest to Kuttan’s illustrious career in the realm of percussion.
