Cheruthazham Kunhiraman Marar

Cheruthazham Kunhiraman Marar also known as Cheruthazham Kunhirama Marar is an Indian percussionist from Kerala. He is an exponent and teacher in traditional Kerala percussion instrument Chenda. He received many awards including the 2019 Kerala Kshetra Kala Akademi Award from government of Kerala, and the 2023 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award from Sangeet Natak Akademi, government of India.

Biography Kunhiraman Marar was born on 20 May 1962 in Cheruthazham village in Kannur district of Kerala, to K. V. Krishna Marar and P. K. Janaki Marasyar. He had his primary education at Sriramavilasam LP School and Madayi Govt. Boys High School. In Cheruthazham he studied under Puliyampally Shankara Marar and Kottilaveetil Kunjirama Marar.

Career and contributions Marar received training in Chenda from P. Sankara Marar and Pallavoor Maniyan Marar. After that, he did his higher studies at Kottakkal PSV Natyasangham for 3 years. When the Kalaripayattu was organized at the Rashtrapati Bhavan during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India, Marar composed the background music for it in Chenda.