The mortal remains of renowned percussion artiste Sadanam Divakara Marar was consigned to flames here on Wednesday.
The 78-year-old Divakara Marar, known for his mastery over the chenda , idakka and several other temple and ritualistic percussion instruments and whose performances have enthralled music connoisseurs, died at a private hospital in Chottanikara on Tuesday morning.
The cremation was held with State honours at his residence in Kureekad near Chottanikara here on Wednesday afternoon after hundreds paid rich tributes to the noted artiste.
District Collector M.G. Rajamanickam paid tributes by placing a wreath on his mortal remains on behalf of the State government.
Actor Babu Namboodiri and renowned percussion artiste Peruvanam Kuttan Marar were among those present.
Born to Venkittaramanan Embranthiri and Parukutti Marasyar Amma on April 29, 1937, Sadanam Divakara Marar started learning chenda at the age of nine.
His uncles Narayana Marar and Kunjikrishna Marar were his early gurus. He joined Unnayi Warrier Memorial Kalanilayam at the age of 18, and learnt the unique Kathakali chenda from Alankarathu Appu Marar.
Divakara Marar then entered the world of thayambaka and learnt it under the guidance of chenda maestro, Chandra Mannadiar. He mastered the intricacies of thayambaka from Peroor Gandhi Seva Sadanam and became popular as Sadanam Divakara Marar.
He started his teaching career at RLV College of Music and Fine Arts as a teacher of Kathakali chenda . He later became the principal of Vaikkom Kshethra Kalapeetom under the Travancore Devaswom Board.
A recipient of the ‘Vadyakala Visarad’ title from the Travancore Devaswom Board, he was also awarded senior fellowship from the Department of Culture of the Union government in folk and traditional arts.
