95-year-old percussion maestro Sankara Marar continues daily seva at Payyanur Temple

Kannur: Puliyambally Sankara Marar is among the active performers in the percussion events held as part of the festival at the Subrahmanya Swami Temple in Payyanur. What sets his performances apart is his age- he is 95 years old.

The most senior traditional employee under the Malabar Devaswom Board, Sankara Marar, continues to offer daily seva to the deity. Every day, during the pantheeradi puja in the morning and the vela in the evening, he renders devotional songs accompanied by percussion.

For the pantheeradi puja, he is joined by Pongilatt Bhagesh Marar on the edakka. Devotees say the 'sopana sangeetham' presented during this ritual creates an almost divine atmosphere.

A remarkable aspect of Sankara Marar’s performance is his flawless memory, he recalls every stanza of the devotional repertoire and delivers it with clarity and grace. He also performs during the ezhunnallath, the ceremonial procession of the bali bimbam (festival idol) outside the temple.

Sankara Marar began his service at the temple at the age of nine and has now completed 86 years in the profession. In his early days, he even played a chenda that was taller than he was.

A master of four percussion instruments- chenda, edakka, thavil and mridangam- he has led thayambaka performances on many occasions, both in India and abroad.