Kunjan Marar Mudiyettu Kalakendra, formerly the Pazhoor Damodara Marar Smaraka Gurukulam, is the leading traditional group performing Mudiyettu for three centuries. It is one of the surviving eight troupes performing the UNESCO-recognised folk ritual art form, in central Kerala. It is the only legitimate troupe under the Pazhoor/ Punnackal Kunjan Marar family of Piravom in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, which has been in the tradition of regularly performing Mudiyettu for generations, "with a deep commitment to perpetuating and protecting the precious ritual art - a gift from the goddess". The Kunjan Marar Mudiyettu Kalakendra operates from Thirumarayoor in the Ernakulam district, presently led by performing artists Thirumarayoor Muralidharan Marar and Thirumarayoor Girijan Narayanan Marar.
Mudiyettu Exponents of Kunjan Marar Mudiyettu Kalakendra
The Kunjan Marar Mudiyettu Kalakendra is custodian of the highly aesthetic and musically rich performance of Mudiyettu, made famous by its late leaders Pazhoor Kunju Kunjan Marar, who was an outstanding personifier of the Goddess Bhadrakali, and Pazhoor Damodara Marar, who was a renowned singer of "sopana samgitam" and skilled drummer honoured with numerous awards and accolades. The current performers and exponents leading the troupe are sons, grandsons and nephews of these legends of the art. The group has performed in more than 8000 stages across the country and abroad as well. 
The veterans late Pazhoor Kunjan Marar and Pazhoor Damodara Marar had been awarded the prestigious Kendriya Sangeeta Natak Akademi awards, while the former had also been recognised with the Keraleeya Kalakal honour by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi in the year 1976, among other various awards and honours. Both of them had brought universal applicability to the ritual art. After the demise of Pazhoor Narayanan Marar, the Kunjan Marar Mudiyettu Kalakendra is currently led by Thirumarayoor Muralidharan Marar and Thirumarayoor Girijan Narayanan Marar.
Thirumarayoor Girijan Narayanan Marar
Son of Pazhoor Narayanan Marar and nephew of Thirumarayoor Muralidharan Marar and Pazhoor Damodara Marar, Girijan Narayanan Marar is an outstanding drum beater, currently employed as an instructor at the prestigious Vaikkam Kshetrakalapeedom Academy. Having completed his education from St. Paul"s High School in Veliyanad and Devaswom Board College in Thalayolapparambu, Kottayam, Girijan Marar specialises in the roles of the "asura" Daarika and Goddess Bhadrakali. He has been awarded the Indian Central Government Senior Scholarship and the Kerala Government Folklore Academy Award, for his invaluable contribution to Mudiyettu.
Thirumarayoor Muralidharan Marar
Son of Pazhoor Kunju Kunjan Marar and younger brother of Pazhoor Damodara Marar, Thirumarayoor Muralidharan Marar is an accomplished drum beater and Kalamezhuthu drawer in Mudiyettu. He is today the leader of the Pazhoor family and the main personifier of Goddess Bhadrakali in his family`s Mudiyettu enactment.
The Kunjan Marar Mudiyettu Kalakendra is a major exponential troupe that contributed to the thesis of Mudiyettu"s UNESCO recognition in 2010. Several Indian and foreign researchers have presented their thesis and received doctorates in the ritual theatre art, under the guidance of this troupe.
Related Articles:
Mudiyettu, Kerala Ritual Theatre
Forms of Indian Theatre
Kerala
Folk Theatre of Kerala
Ritual Theatre in India
Goddess Bhadrakali
Performance of Mudiyettu
Costumes and Make up in Mudiyettu
Comic Relief in Mudiyettu
Pazhoor Kunju Kunjan Marar
Sopana Sangeetham, Music of Kerela
Kendriya Sangeeta Natak Akademi
Sangeet Nataka Akademi Awards
Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi