Muttanur Sankaran Kutty

🪔 About

Mattannoor Sankarankutty Marar, born on August 25, 1954, in Mattanur, Kannur district, Kerala, is an internationally acclaimed Indian percussionist, celebrated for his profound mastery of the chenda, a traditional Kerala drum. Descending from a lineage of hereditary temple percussionists, his musical journey commenced at the tender age of seven, guided by his father, Kunjikrishnan Marar. He underwent rigorous advanced training in Kathakali chenda and Thayambaka at Gandhi Sevasadanam, Peroor, under the esteemed tutelage of masters Pallassana Chandramannadiar and Sadanam Vasudevan, who instilled in him both traditional essence and a spirit of experimentation. Further honing his skills, he also received training in edakka from Pattarath Sankara Marar at the Thiruvambadi Temple in Thrissur. Sankarankutty is distinguished by his powerful left-hand strokes and innovative approach, which have profoundly elevated the aesthetic and professional standards of Kerala's percussion traditions. He is adept in various temple music rituals, including sopanasangeetam. His creative contributions include developing new choreographies like Sruthi Melam and engaging in significant fusion performances, such as a notable jugalbandi with tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, bridging Carnatic and Hindustani rhythms. He shared his expertise as a chenda instructor in the Kathakali department at the Vellinezhi Government High School. Since 2022, he has held the prestigious position of Chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi. Widely revered, Sankarankutty is celebrated across India as the "Melapadam Maestro" of the iconic Thrissur Pooram. His legacy is continued by his sons, Mattannoor Sreekanth and Mattannoor Sreeraj, who are also accomplished Thayambaka artists. Awards & Honours: Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (1996), Kerala Kalamandalam Award (2004), Padma Shri (2009), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2012), Kerala Kalamandalalam Kalacharya Puraskaram (2016), International Kathakali Award (2025).