Percussion prodigy Ollur Edakunni Kelath Aravindakshan Marar no more

THRISSUR: Percussion prodigy Ollur Edakunni Kelath Aravindakshan Marar (82) passed away. He had been resting for a long time due to the infirmities of old age. He was a bachelor. Aravindakshan Marar was actively present for Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu sections in Thrissur Pooram for four and a half decades. His style was to play the chenda on the left and the right of the Pramani by giving strength to the Pramani.

Aravindakshan Marar, who has many admirers, never once wanted the Pramani position. When Peruvanam Kuttan Marar, who was Pramani in Ilanjithara Melam, once stepped aside due to physical disability for a while, the Melam was carried forward by Aravindakshan Marar. He took the captaincy only when the organizers insisted.

Aravindakshan Marar last participated in Ilanjithara Melam in Thrissur Pooram 2021. Aravindakshan Marar, son of late Makoth Sankaran Kutty Marar and Kelat Marath Ammini Marasyar, was tutored by his father. After studying, at the age of 12, he made his debut at the Edakunni temple on Navratri day. Aravindakshan Marar made his debut in Thrissur Pooram when Patiyarat Kunjan Marar was the Mela Pramani of Paramekkavu. Then, after 13 years of playing Chenda, he quit playing for Pooram.

Aravindakshan Marar again played Chenda for nine years when Thrippekulam Achutha Marar became the Pramani of Thiruvambady. He came back with Peruvanam Kuttan Marar becoming the leader of the pooram in Paramekkavu. First at Paramekkav for 13 years and then at Thiruvambady for nine years, and then 23 consecutive years at Paramekkavu, Aravindakshan Marar kept playing his Chenda. He was a regular presence at all the major poorams in Kerala, starting with Arattupuzha Pooram, Tripunithura and Koodalmanikyam in Irinjalakuda. He has received the Kerala Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Sri Ramapada Suvarnamudra of Thriprayar Vadyakala Aswadaka Samiti, Kalacharya, Vadyamitra, Dhanvanthari Award, Purnatrayeesa Award, Aratupuzha Sri Shastapura Award, Vadya Visharadan Award etc. The cremation took place at Paramekkavu Shanti Ghat with official government honours.