Sadanam Divakaran

🪔 About

Sadanam Divakaran was a distinguished Indian percussionist renowned for his mastery of the Chenda, an integral instrument in Kathakali, the classical dance-drama of Kerala. Born on April 29, 1937, in Pazhoor, Ernakulam District, Kerala, to Venkittaramanan Embranthiri and Parukkutti Marasyar Amma, Divakaran began his musical journey at the tender age of nine, learning Chenda from his uncles, Narayana Marar and Kunjikrishna Marar. At eighteen, he furthered his training in Kathakali Chenda at the Unnayi Warrier Smaraka Kalanilayam. He then undertook a four-year intensive course at Gandhi Seva Sadanam, an institution that contributed the "Sadanam" prefix to his name. His principal gurus in Kathakali Chenda included Kalanilayam Appu Marar (also known as Alankarathu Appu Marar) and Pallassana Chandra Mannadiyar (Chandra Mannadiar). Divakaran also received specialized training in the North Kerala style of Thayampaka under Chandramannadiyar. Throughout his illustrious career, Sadanam Divakaran dedicated himself to teaching and promoting traditional Kerala percussion arts. He served as a Kathakali chenda instructor at the RLV College of Music and Fine Arts in Tripunithura. A significant leadership role he held was as the Principal of Vaikom Kshethra Kalapeedam, an institution under the Travancore Devaswom Board. Even after his retirement, he continued to contribute as a visiting professor at the same institute and actively taught at the Ernakulam Siva Kshethra Vadhya Kalalayam and Kanayannoor Vadhya Kalalayam until his passing. Divakaran was also associated with prominent cultural organizations such as the Viswa Kala Kendra of Guru Gopinath, the See India Foundation, and the International Kathakali Kendra in New Delhi. His profound contributions to the art form were recognized with several prestigious accolades, including the 'Vadyakala Visarad' title from the Travancore Devaswom Board, a Senior Fellowship from the Department of Culture, Government of India, and the Veera Srungala (Gold Armband) from Kerala Kalamandalam. Sadanam Divakaran passed away on July 29, 2014, at the age of 77. He was married to Omana Divakaran and had three children. Awards & Honours: Vadyakala Visarad, Senior Fellowship, Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, Veera Srungala (Gold Armband).