Zakir Hussain and Mattanur Shankarankutty Marar
Reminiscing about his long association with tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, veteran Kerala percussionist Mattanoor Sankarankutty Marar recalls, “Jakirji had great respect for Kerala and its traditional percussion instrument chenda.”
“Our relationship developed on the sets of a Malayalam film Vanaprastham (1999) Famous filmmaker Shaji N. Directed by Karun. Zakirji, who composed the music for the film, told the director that he would like to see me perform a solo recital, Thayambaka, on chenda,” recalls Mattanoor, as the percussionist is popularly known to the world. Condoled the death of Mahan. Classical musicians in America on the morning of December 16.
It was here that the seeds of future artistic collaboration were sown Vanaprastham In Thiruvananthapuram he performed Thayambaka for about an hour. “They recorded my entire performance. I will never forget that conversation with one of the greatest classical composers of our time,” says Mr. Marar. The Hindu,
Veteran percussionist Mattanur Shankarankutty Marar (File) | Photo courtesy: S. Mahinsha
fusion performance
Fresh in his memory is his fusion performance on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Mumbai-based cultural organization Kelly in Peruvanam village, Thrissur in February 2017.
“I joined him with my team after his excellent solo performance and it was magical to watch him try to bring out chenda ki tahap on the tabla. Later, many taal lovers had told me that Thayambaka’s influence was visible at the end of his solo performances at various venues, reflecting his love for the rich taal culture of Kerala,” he says.
Their personal relationship reached its peak when Ustad Zakir Hussain asked Mr. Marar and his sons to join him for a month-long performance in the United States in 2019 as part of the 100th birth anniversary of his father, Ustad Allah Rakha. “We performed in about 19 venues from Los Angeles to New York and it was an artistic experience to see the legend up close. I also had the opportunity to share Kerala cuisine with him as he was stunned by the love of Keralites in America, who served us Kerala cuisine during our visit,” he recalls.
published – December 16, 2024 02:42 PM IST
