The rhythm divine

TRIPPEKKULAM: Achutha Marar, the ultimate name among the living helmsmen of Panchaari Melam turns ninety on  September 26, Monday.  Marar’s countless disciples and admirers are busy with the preparations, eager to make their master’s ninetieth birthday a memorable event at Irinjalakuda Unnayi Warrier Smaraka Kalanilayam situated in the Irinjalakuda Temple compound.Panchaari Melam is usually considered as the king among various melams, popular in Kerala and Trippekkulam Achutha Marar is the greatest living exponent who has led several famous Panchaari Melams in Kerala like the eight day long Vrischikolsavam of Tripunithura Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple, Festival at Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam Temple,  Panchaari Melam of Oorakathamma at Perumanam Pooram and many other temples in Kerala. From his childhood itself Achutha Marar showed an extra ordinary proficiency in keeping the basic rhythm while playing thavil or thimila or chenda, and was an expert in the  intricacies of all the three percussion instruments.“Among the myriad melams, the unique percussion ensemble rooted in Kerala, Panchaari Melam, deserves a special status because of its melodious harmony and systematic framing,” Achutha Marar says.“Pathikaalam, the first phase, is the most attractive part of Panchaari Melam and it lasts for nearly half of the total duration,”Marar says. “We  Keralites are yet to recognise the mesmerizing power of Panchaari Melam and the indescribable beauty of the slow paced recital of kurumkuzhal especially during the Pathikaalam,” Achutha Marar said.If kurumkuzhal adds music to the Melam during the Pathikaalam, it is the role of elathaalam to add to the scintillating sweet melody during the fourth and fifth phase of the Melam, Marar said. He added that Keralites are yet to learn how to appreciate the unique technique of this inimitable percussion ensemble.“One hundred and twenty artists with a uniform mind  play this gigantic orchestration without any prior rehearsal,” he says.When Marar entered the profession, he didn’t view it as a way to make money. However, as the recipient of State Government’s Pallavur Puraskaaram, the first ever Vadhyamithra Puraskaaram and many other laurels, Marar has no complaints.