About Us

Kuzhur
Foundation

Padmabhushan Kuzhur Narayana Marar Foundation, registered on 27th February 2013 as a Public Charitable Trust is striving to preserve, develop, promote and propagate the classical cultural heritage of Panchavadhyam. On 23rd October, 2013 this Foundation has been granted recognition as a Public Charitable Trust. Padmabhushan Kuzhur Narayana Marar Foundation is a cultural organisation with its headquarters at Koratty in Trissur Dist.: of Kerala State South India. It has been registered as a public charitable trust under section 12 AA of the Income Tax Act 1961 of Gov. .of India and has a membership in the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Acdemi.This organisation has been formed in memory of unique late Panchavadhyamkulapathy Padmabhushan Kuzhur Narayana Marar. The foundation which has been registered in 2013 has been working for the last six years in anorderly, transparent and an efficient manner. Our present office is a rented house near N.S.S.English Medium School, Vazhichal , Koratty South 680308.
The Existing Board of Trustees

Chairman - Kalathy Mekattu Parameswaran Namboodhiri - Ph: 8281945645
Vice Chairman - Sri K P Joy - Ph: 9447832737
General Secretary - Sri. M.N.S. Nair - Ph:9400632080
Secretary - Sri. T. Achutha Menon - Ph: 9447179972
Treasurer - Sri. T.I. Mohandas - Ph:9446937933

Aims and Objectives of the Trust

  • To conduct Seminars, Debates, Discussions, Cultural Programmes in memory of Padmabhushan Kuzhur Narayana Marar.
  • To impart social, moral and spiritual knowledge among the people.
  • To conduct cultural or developmental activities independently or in collaboration with other Trusts or voluntary Agencies.
  • To conduct Cultural programs in Schools or Colleges and to introduce various types of Arts of India.
  • To promote and encourage various forms and types of Arts
  • To render all possible Assistance and help the poor artists
  • To produce Documentaries of various performances of professional Drummers.
  • To honour the various professional Drummers.
  • To conduct annual function
  • To conduct annual functions in memory of Padmabhushan Kuzhur Narayana Marar.
  • To engage in activities to protect our various types of ancient Fine Arts.
  • To render possible services to classic Arts and Drum Arts.
  • To provide Grants, Fellowship and other forms of financial assistance to deserving Artists and professional Drummers.
  • To conduct Research for the development of Drum Artists and establish research centres for them.
  • To collect various models of Drum arts and Exhibit it for the Public.
  • To establish centres for the developments of Drum Artists by using donations, grants from individuals and institutions.
  • To start Institutions or Centres for the welfare of the Drum Artists.
  • To utilize the various types of funds from the State Government or Central Government, Cultural Centers,Muncipal or Panchayathauthorities, Universities and Semi Government Institutions.
  • The training centre will be modelled on the lines of Kerala Kalamandalam and Kshetra Kalapeedtom, Vaikom.

Performances up to this day

In order to introduce and to perform the different musical instruments of Kerala conducting demonstration classes and their training which will pave way for discovering new pupils for learning the different art forms, as well as it will increase the ability of enjoyment in the public. So far we have conducted demonstration classes in Nair Samajam High School Valoor, Union High School Mampra, Mar Augustin Memorial High School Koratty Little Flower Convent High School Koratty and Sanskrit University Kalady.

We have started training classes for Panchavadhyam in 2015 .Fifty students from different Schools have completed their training and done their debut. Now forty students are undergoing their training in Panchavadyam and in Thayambaka. Further in the present office of the Foundation training is being imparted under our supervision in the following instruments, Thimila, Maddalam, Kombu, Ilathalam and Kurumkuzhal etc.

The following is the list of expert trainers
  • Vadyaratnam Sri Annamanada Muraleedhara Marar.
  • Sri KalanilayamPrakasan.
  • Sri Koratty Santhosh.
  • Sri Annamanada Prasad.
  • Sri Moorkanadu Dines Warrior.
  • Sri MattannoorUdayanNamboodiri.
  • Sri Kuzhur Kiran

After obtaining the Registration of the Foundation on 27/2/2013, the 2nd Death Anniversary of Kuzhur Narayana Marar was organized on the 11th of August, 2013 at Chettarikkal NSS Hall at Koratty. Renowned Timila maestro Sri. Karottedath Narayana Marar and well known Stage Artist Sri. Jairaj Warrier were felicitated at this function. Financial assistance to the tune of Rs.2000 each were distributed to Miss Binia A.D., Master Rajesh Babu and Miss Greeshma T.T. studying at Govt. High School, Kuzhur, N.S.S.H.S., Valoor and MAMHS, Koratty respectively. Joining hands with the Valoor Nair Samajam School, the Foundation has started a Vadya Kalakendram to promote the promising talents of Percussion orchestra. Then Hon’ble Minister of Kerala Sri. M.K. Muneer inaugurated the Kalakendram on 21st February,2014. Free coaching in Timila vadanam for deserving candidates from low income groups is being given in this Vadhya Kalakendram. The Foundation received 7 Timilas under sponsorship. Famous Timila Master Sri. Kuzhur Sudhakara Marar is giving coaching in Timila Vadanam.

The 3rd Death Anniversary of Kuzhur Narayana Marar was held on 16/8/2014 at Darshana Hall at Kuzhoor. A Panchavadhyam concert followed by a discussion on various cultural pageantry was held with the participation of stalwarts from the field of Percussion instruments. Sri . Chalakudy Raman Nambisan one of the great exponent Madhalam player was felicitated at this function. A financial assistance of Rs. 2000 each were distributed to Miss Haritha P.P. and Ajitha P.G. of VHS Mambra and Master Vishnu R. of NSSHS, Valoor.

The 4th death anniversary of Kuzhur Narayana Marar was held on 16th of August,2015 at NSS High School Auditorium, Chalakudy. Foundation Chairman Sri. I. Venugopal presided over the function inaugurated by Hon'ble Justice Sri. K. Narayana Kurup (former Acting Chief Justice , Madras High Court). Adv. sri. A.U. Raghuraman Panicker conferred the coveted Kuzhur Puraskaram, 2015 upon famous Panchavadyam exponent Sri. Annamanada Parameswara Marar which consists of a purse of Rs. 55,555, a Citation and a Plaque. Chalakudy MLA Sri. B.D. Devassy gave away the educational assistance to Kumari C.B. Mary (G.H.S. Kuzhur), Sanmaya Shaji (St. Josephs' HSS, Melur), Aparna A.A. (NSHS, Valoor), Gopika M.S. (PSHSS, Thirumudikkunnu) and Kumari Nivedya K. (GGHS,Chalakudy). A Kudukka Veena Kacherry concert by Kavil Sundara Marar & Party followed by a grand Chamba Panchavadhyam by Kavil Ajayan Marar also was an added attraction.

We take it as an honor and a matter of great pride and prestige that on 01/10/2015, Koratty Community Hall was renamed as Padmabhooshan Kuzhur Narayana Marar Koratty Panchayath Community Hall at a function presided over by Chalakudy MLA Sri. B.D. Devassy.

The 5th Anusmarana Sammelanam of Kuzhur Aasaan and presentation of Kuzhur Puraskaram, 2016 was organized on 14th August,2016 at Padmabhushan Kuzhur Narayanamarar Memmorial Community Hall, Koratty. Foundation President Adv. A.U. Reghuraman Panicker presided over the function. State Education Minister Prof. Sri. C. Raveendra Nath gave away the Kuzhur Puraskaram, 2016 to the great Madhalam maestro Sri. Thrukkur Rajan. The budding artists of Percussion Orchestra of the Peringodu Highschool who stood First in the State Youth Festival for Panchavadhyam were felicitated. 35 students who secured Full A+ in the SSLC Examination from various schools in and around Koratty were also honored. Education Assistance to Rahuldas R. (MAMHS, Koratty), Vineeth K.K. (NSHS, Valoor), Sreeraj P.M. (LFCHS, Koratty), Krishnapriya C.J. (Union HSS, Mambra) and Roshin K.S (GHS, Kuzhur) were distributed by Smt. Kumari Balan,President, Koratty Panchayath.

In 2017,we have so far successfully conducted 4 demonstration classes on Panchavadhyam and Chendamelam at LFCHSS, Koratty, UHSS, Mambra, NSHS Valoor and Sansckrit University at Kalady.

A three day Cultural event entitled "VADHYOPASANA" was held from 18th March to 20th March,2017 in association with Ministry of Culture, Government of India at Nair Samajam High School, Valoor. The inaugural function on 18/3/17 was presided by Sri. Sasi Chankramath. Padmasri. Mattannur Sankarankutty marar was the chief guest of the evening. Sopana Sangeetham by Ambalappuzha Vijayakumar and Tripple Thayambaka by Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar, Mattannur Srikanth and Mattannur Sriraj were the highlights of the day. 2nd day's Samskarika Sammelanam was inaugurated by Chalakudy MLA Sri. B.D. Devassy. Foundation working chairman Brahmashri Kalathimekkad Parameswaran Nambhoodhiry presided over the function. Chakyar Kooth by Natyarathnam Margi Madhu Chakyar and major set Panchavadhyam by Chottanikkara Vijayan Marar and party were also there to enrich the Sunday evening. Concluding day ceremony on Monday,the 20th of March was presided by Foundation Chairman Sri. A.U. Raghuraman Panicker. Inauguration was by Padmashri Peruvanam KuttanMarar. Ottan Thullal by Sri. Maruthoorvattam Kannan and Pandimelam by Peruvanam Kuttan Marar and party followed. ​

Kuzhur Aasan's 6th Anusmaranam and Kuzhur Puraskara Samarppanam, 2017 was held at Padmabhushan Kuzhur Narayanamarar Panchayat Community Hall, Koratty on 11/8/2017. The recepient of Kuzhur Puraskaram2017 was none other than noted Kombu vadhakan Sri. Chengamanad Appu Nair. The Arrangettam of 1st batch of Timila consisting of 14 boys and 16 girls from our Vadhyakalakendram followed by a Panchavadhyam concert by more than 60 artists literally thrilld the audience. Educational financial assistance for the deserving students for the year 2017-18 were also distributed. ​

Since 2015 the geniuses in the field of vadyakala are being felicitated by the foundation in memory of Padmabhushan Kuzhur Narayana Marar with GURUSRESHTA Puraskaram.The following doyens have been already awarded so far.

  • Sri Annamanada Parameswara Marar (Thimila)
  • Sri Thrkkur Rajan (Maddalam)
  • Sri Chengamanadu.Appu Nair (Kombu)
  • Sri.Pallavur C.P. RaghavaPisharody (Thalam)

The award consists of Rs 55,555 in cash(Rupees fiftyfivethousand five hundredand fiftyfive) an idol and Prasasthipathram. This year award given to Sri ChottanikkaraVijayan Marar (Thimila). For the sake of finding out young talents in the field a competition of Panchavadyam has been arranged on an all Kerala basis .The participants in the competition must be below 25 years of age and the team that wins the event will be given KUZHUR puraskaram which consists Rs 50,000 in cash and an idol and certificate. Further all the participant teams will get Rs 5,000 each as consolation prize. The award is not limited to Panchavadyamalone.The GURUS who have proved their mettle in the arena of Mudiyattu,, Melam, Ottanthullal and Sasthampattu have also will have to be awarded SREEBHADRA, MELAPERUMA, KUNJAN and SREESASTHA puraskaram in memory of VaranattuSankara Kurup, varanattu Parameswara Kurup, Padiath Padmanabhan Nair and Madtathilpulikkal Balan Nair. The puraskaram consists of Rs 10,001 in cash an Idol and Prasasthypathram.This year’s winners are Sri. Kizhakevaranattu Narayana Kurup, Sri Kelath Aravindaskha Marar, Sri Kalamandalam Prabhakaran and Sri Vadama Radhakrishnan respectively.

SODAHARANA AVATHARANAM

All art forms especially classical art forms have certain rules and conventions. Without a basic knowledge in them it will not be possible to understand and enjoy them properly. Many common people have only an initial facination in the classical art forms which will fade off soon. That is why the initial crowd for Panchavadyam, Melam, Thayambaka, Kadhakali, Classicial music etc. wanes to a few, within a short spell of time in many temples and public performance places. So the audience have to be educated and made ready to enjoy these art forms properly.With this aim in mind we envisage demonstration programmes to create awareness in the public about the technicalities of the different percussion art forms like Panchavadyam,Panchari,Pandi,Thayambaka and in due course other classical art forms like Chempa, Chempata,Atantha,Anchatanth and dhruvam etc.

The SODAHARANA AVATHARANAM(live demonstration with narration) will be arranged at a particular centre and the same will be recorded and stored in different electronic gadgets.Later it can bebroadcasted at different centres throughout Kerala. This is done in order to avoid heavy cost of live performances,further this will pave way for increasing rasikas during the live performances at different places especially during all the seasons and thus more and more people will be attracted to these art forms and new budding talents will be able to meet the maestros,who will be good role models for them.

The recording and recasting will be done at the behest of reputed sound engineers and operators and also using latest technology. After presenting these videos at different parts the really interested persons will be selected and for them live performances will be conducted again as and when needed.From among them new learners also will be obtained which will be an added boost for these art forms. As has already been mentioned the purpose of all these endeavours are to evoke interest in more and more people and to find out new talents.Further we will get consistent audience who will promote the art forms and the number of knowledgeable audiences will increase in the future.

The advantages of the SODAHARANA AVATHARANA (demonstration classes with live performances)

Top maestros will perform the concerts It will be accompanied by detailed introduction and explanations whereever necessary by well versed people in the particular art forms. Thus more and more can enjoy them at the centres closer to their localities with all its pomp and diginity. It will help us to gain experience in the field which in turn will provide a scope for expanding our area of operations nationally as well as internationally. Finally the modes operandi of these art forms with the help of modern electronic gadgets have not been tried by anyone else hither to and will help us to sustain these classical art forms with all their pomp and glory and also with their uniqueness. It will be a boon to the posterity.

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