THRISSUR: Noted Madhalam artiste Thrikkur Rajan passed away on Thursday. He was 83. Madhalam has been prominent in major festivals of the state including Thrissur Pooram. In Thrissur Pooram, Madhalam was played first for Thiruvambadi and later for Paramekkavu.

Thrikkur Rajan led the panchavadyam at the Bharatotsavam held in Soviet Union in 1987. He has won the Pallavoor Award. Madhalam is famous for Nemmara Vela.

He was the son of Krishnankutty Marar and Mechoor Ammukutty Amma of Thrikkur Kizhayedath, a Madhalam vidwan. He leaves behind his wife Chelekkat Devaky Amma and children Sujatha, Sukumaran, Sudhakaran and Suma. He will be cremated at Paramekkavu Shanthi Ghat at 3 pm today.