P. M. RAMKUMAR

Born in 1962, into a family of temple artistes (MARAR) in Kerala to Smt. Vishalakshi Born in 1962, into a family of temple artistes (MARAR) in Kerala to Smt. Vishalakshi Marasiar and Late Shri C. Rama Marar (Better known as Chakkamkulam Appu Marar, Chandamela Chakravorthy, who was the first recipient of Pallavur Appu Marar Smaraka Puraskaram by Government of Kerala), I have learnt Chenda, Timila, Idakka (traditional instruments performed during pooja in temple) under the tutelage of Guruji (Late Sri Kumarapuram Appu Marar), my father and my predecessors including Mela Kalanidhi Shri Peruvanam Appumarar from an early age of 4 years with the blessings of Ardhanareeshwaran at Peruvanam Sri Mahadeva Kshetram (Temple). I have been a performing musician since the age of 7 years and have won many awards and scholarships in Light Music and Poetry and Group Instrumental Music during my school years. My group had been first in Kerala School Youth Festival twice (with scholarship). I performed instrumental music viz. at Chenda, Timila, Idakka at various places for a number of events, in and out of Kerala.

While at Ahmedabad, on pursuit of my career in Music, I joined Darpana Academy for Advance learning in Mridamgam, under the tutelage of Guru Shri Gurumoorthy and later performed as a Mridamgist for Carnatic Classical Music and Dance Concerts. Also had Advance learning in Vocal Music under strict guidance of Guruji Shri Purushottaman and Guru Smt. Kamala Narayan over a period of 5 years. I was associated as Mridamgist and vocalist for over 6 years with Mudra School of Classical Dance, Ahmedabad. For the past few years I have been performing as a Carnatic Singer and Musician at various Kacheris (Concerts). Now, I am associated with many Bharatnatyam dance groups as Singer-composer in and around Ahmedabad. Have performed three times in a row at Modhera Sun Tempe Uttarardha Dance Festival alongwith reputed dancers as Singer, and instrumentalist. I have one Carnatic Classical Vocal Concert (CD & Cassette) titled as "NADABRAHMAM" to my credit, released in Ahmedabad in June 2005, which contains Varnam in Saranga Ragam composed by Thiruvotriyur Shri Thiagayyer, seven popular kritis of Shri Thyagaraja Swamigal, Maharaja Shri Swati Tirunal, Shri H Mutthaiya Bhagavathar, Shri Oothukadu Venkata Subbaiyer etc., Thillana and Slokam. I have rendered my services as Music Director for a CD titled “THAT MOVES AND MOVETH NOT” (theme : Bhagwan Vishnu’s Dashavataram, Jayadeva Ashtapathi PRALAYAPAYODHIJALE) released from Baroda, and also rendered voice, played Mridamgam, Idakka for the same. Performed Concert in ASIA, Ahmedabad. Besides my performances I am teaching carnatic classical vocal music since last 15 years and 5 of my students have already performed Arangettam.

As of now I have 150 Dance Concerts (as singer), around 100 vocal concerts, number of Sompana Sangeeta Kacheris and other performance with Chenda, Timila & Idakka to my credit. Apart from singing can play very well Chanda, Idakka, Timila, Mrudamgam & Flute etc.

Personal:

Date & Place of Birth : November 03, 1962 at
                                    Peruvanam, Thrissur (Kerala)

Marital Status             : Married

Family                         : Wife Sudha (from the family of
                                     Annamanada (Kalamandalam)
                                     Parameshwara Marar
                                     Timila Vidwan) and son Sreerag
Languages known        : English, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati