27-hr Rendition Takes Flautist to Records Book

THRISSUR: With a record breaking 27 hour 20 minute and 50 second long flute marathon, Kodungallur native Murali Narayanan has earned for himself a slot in the Guinness Book of World Records. Thalikkulam High School was the venue of the concert.

The rendition, which commenced around 8.30 am on Saturday lasted till 12 noon on Sunday, breaking the earlier record held by UK native Katherine Brookes who had played for 25 hours and 46 minutes.

“The entire Thalikkulam village remained with Murali for the entire duration of the concert,” said MLA T N Prathapan, who was at the forefront in organising the event. Murali was whisked to a clinic for medical attention at the end of the concert and he was unavailable for comment. “He was on his feet the entire time. He tried sitting down around 4 am on the final day, but found that he was becoming too drowsy. He is being inspected by medical professionals,” said Prathapan. An authorised representative of the Guinness World Records was present at the venue and arrangements were made to film the entire event using three cameras.

Commencing with a ‘Maya Malava Gowla Ragam’, the concert programme embarked on by the flautist was inaugurated by Kalamandalam M Kshemavathy.

It was estimated that the musician would be able to break the record by 10.30 am on Sunday. MLA TN Prathapan, District Panchayat President Sheela Vijayakumar and Thalikkulam Panchayat President K K Rajani felicitated the musician.  Speaking to mediapersons a few days ago, he had announced that he would commence on a 26-hour record breaking flute marathon at Thalikkulam Government High School ground, starting January 9.

“I have performed concerts across the world, and in a variety of fusion and styles. I have also sung a piece in the movie ‘Mankolangal’, which had earned a special jury remark. I am undergoing special training for the purpose, including strict diet and medical supervision. As per the rules, a five minute break is allowed after each hour. I am planning to take a 10 minute break after every 2 hours of performance. A guiness representative from Idukki will be present on the occasion,” he had said at a press briefing before embarking on the project.

Katherine Brookes had, in her record breaking concert, played only western music whereas Murali performed Hindustani, Carnatic, folk and western styles using different instruments.  Murali has also performed as a vocalist in the Malayalam film Mankolangal, for which he got a special mention from the state award jury.

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