THRISSUR: Thimila exponent Kuzhur Narayana Marar, who passed away on Thursday, displayed his percussion dexterity for the Paramekkavu faction in Thrissur Pooram for a 40 long years.
His magical fingers enthused and entranced the connoisseurs while his adeptness in the field made him the ‘Pramani’ of the Paramaekkavu faction for over 13 years. However, sickness prevented him from performing in Thrissur Pooram from 1986.
Marar is regarded as one of those who gave Panchavadyam a deserved position in the realm of percussion art forms.
He was born at Nedumbarambath Marath house at Kuzhur in Mala as the son of Vadakkinimarath Kochupillai Kurup and Kuzhoor Nedumbarambath Marath Kunjippillai Amma.
Kuzhur Narayana Marar got trained under Vadakkedath Rama Marar and Perumbilli Kesava Marar. His debut performance was held at Kuzhur Subramania Swami temple at the age of 10.
Apart from Thimila, Marar had also mastered idakka and chenda.
An ardent devotee of Lord Subramania, Marar used to visit the Kuzhur Subramania temple every month. His last visit was on July 24.
Honouring his percussion skills, he was awarded the Padmabhushan in 2009. He is also a recipient of the coveted Pallavur Appu Marar Award, instituted by the state government.
His wife Narayani Amma predeceased him. He is survived by sons Rajendu Shekar, Manmadan, Vivekanandan and Dineshan and daughters Rajeswari, Kanchanawalli and Kambalkari.
The cremation was held at 8 p.m. on Thursday in Koratty.
