The Maestro
Dr. Kuzhalmannam G. Ramakrishnan
A phenomenon in the field of South Indian percussion, the one and only artist in the world to have performed more than 500 hours solo.
Chapter 01
Beginnings
Dr. Kuzhalmannam Gopalakrishnan Ramakrishnan, popularly known by the name of his birthplace in Palakkad, ‘Kuzhalmannam’, had his early lessons on Mridangam at the age of 5 from his father Shri. Gopalakrishna Iyer. Within about 5 years he was accompanying Carnatic concerts, notably for a few eminent personalities at a very young age.
Chapter 02
A career of thousands of concerts
Over a career spanning more than three decades and thousands of concerts, he continues to refine his percussion skills, appreciated by legendary vocalists, co-artists and music lovers across India.
Chapter 03
World records, 2004 – 2009
July 2004: 36 hours of continuous Mridangam for Cancer awareness. May 2005: 101 hours non-stop solo, ‘Rhythm for Peace’, in Kannur against violence. August 2008: 301 hours solo concert at Nehru College Campus, Coimbatore, to popularise Mridangam among the youth. July 2009: the enchanting 501 hours non-stop ‘Rhythm Therapy’ at Nandavanam Hospital, Ottapalam, earning Guinness World Records for Longest Solo Concert and Hand-drum Marathon.
Chapter 04
Honoris Causa
Honorary Doctorate conferred by World Records University on Shri. Kuzhalmannam G. Ramakrishnan in September 2015, ‘Doctor in Record Breaking’ for “Longest Solo performance – Hand Drum”.
Chapter 05
Inventor: Mridu & Sadh Mridangam
After about 8 years of thought and experiments, ‘Mridu’ was invented in 2013: lighter and more convenient, while preserving the authentic tones of the ancient instrument. ‘Mridu Tharang’ took it into fusion, performed at the International Trade Fair New Delhi, Malabar Mahotsav, Naada Neerajanam Tirupati and the World Tour of Soorya India Festival in the Middle East. In 2015 it was given a complete facelift as ‘Sadh Mridangam’: no wood at all, environment friendly, under 5 kg, dismantles into 3 parts and makes setting and changing sruthi easy.
Chapter 06
Radio, television & film
At 28 he became an A-Grade artist of All India Radio & Doordarshan, and in 2010 received Prasar Bharathi’s highest recognition, ‘The Top Grade’. He has featured in Radio Sangeeth Sammelan, Doordarshan National Programmes, the live National programme from Sree Thyagaraja Festival Thiruvaiyaru, and Asianet’s ‘Idea Star Singer’. In film, the tele-film ‘Naadam’ explores the effect of mridangam tones on humans, and in a theatrical feature he handled the lead role, lyrics and music composition.
Chapter 07
Teacher & founder
In 2006 he founded the Kuzhalmannam Centre of Music & Arts, affiliated to the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy, where hundreds of young students train in instruments, craft, mural painting and dance. He also wrote ‘M-Rhythm’, a self-instruction book popular among students and music lovers.
Discography
Audio & video releases
Solo and fusion concert releases since the early 2000s.
Titles & awards
A few of many honours
- ‘Deva Vaadhya Visharadh’ by Arya Vaidhya Pharmacy Trust, Coimbatore
- ‘Vaadhya Samrat’ of Sreekrishna Seva Sangh, Pune
- ‘Naadha Rathna’ by Chembai Smrithi Trust, Ottapalam
- ‘Mridanga Vaadhya Kalathilakam’ of Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Cochin
- ‘Vadhya Rathna’ by Kannur Sangeetha Sabha, Kannur
- Excellence Award – Arts 2010 by Palakkad Association, UAE
- Outstanding Award of Palpak Kuwait 2008
- ‘Human Wonder Award 2005’ by Sangam Kala Group, Cochin
- ‘Naadha Laya Vidhwan’ 2012 of Paramacharya Trust, Kalpathy
- ‘Laya Rathna’ of Mookambika Vidyanikethan, Thrissur
- ‘Kala Vallabha’ of Palakkad Munnott
- Kanchi Kamakoti Peetom Asthaana Vidwan Title, Kancheepuram
- ‘Kalashree’ 2013 award of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
Family
With his family
