Mattannoor Sankarankutty Marar, born on August 25, 1954, in Mattanur, Kannur district, Kerala, India, is a legendary Indian percussionist renowned for his mastery of the chenda, a traditional Kerala drum. He is celebrated for his expertise in Thayambaka, Panchari melam, and Panchavadyam, and is a significant figure in the percussive accompaniment of Kathakali. Sankarankutty Marar began his musical journey at the age of seven, receiving his initial chenda lessons from his father, Kunjikrishnan Marar. He underwent rigorous training in Thayambaka and Kathakali chenda at Gandhi Sevasadanam, Peroor, under the tutelage of Pallassana Chandramannadiar and Sadanam Vasudevan. He also received training in edakka from Pattarath Sankara Marar at the Thiruvambadi Temple in Thrissur. Mattannoor Sankarankutty Marar is credited with elevating the chenda from a ritualistic accompaniment to a world-class solo concert instrument. He is also recognized for his innovative contributions, including the "Triple Thayambaka" performed with his sons, and his masterful jugalbandis that blend traditional Indian rhythms with global musical forms. He served as a chenda teacher for the Kathakali section at Vellinezhi Government High School, a position from which he retired in 2010. In November 2022, he assumed the role of Chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi. Awards & Honours: Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (1996), Padma Shri (2009), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2012), Kerala Kalamandalam Award (2004), Kerala Kalamandalalam Kalacharya Puraskaram (2016), The Dance India Silver Ghungroo Award (2026).

View full profile →Is this you? Claim Profile

Are you a student of Mattanoor Sankaran Marar?

Claim your profile and link to your guru to add yourself to this lineage.

Claim Your Profile