Neralattu Rama Poduval or Njaralathu Rama Poduval (1916–1996) was an exponent of the ashtapadi/sopanam music form practised in

Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...

in southern

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

. A recipient of the Kendra Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, he hailed from a rugged village called Thiruvaazhaamkunnu, near Mannarkkad in

Palakkad Palakkad (), Renaming of cities in India, also known as Palghat, historically known as Palakkattussery, is a city and a municipality in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters of P ...

district and lived most of life in Angadipuram in

Malappuram Malappuram (also Malapuram) () is a municipality and town in Kerala and the headquarters of the Malappuram district in Kerala, India. It is the List of most populous urban agglomerations in Kerala, 4th largest urban agglomeration in Kerala and ...

district, the place famous for the Thirumanthamkunnu Temple. Born into an

Ambalavasi Ambalavasi, more properly Ampalavasi, (IAST: Ampalavāsi; ) is the generic name for a group of Caste system in India, castes among Hindus in Kerala, India, who have traditionally rendered temple services. Castes The Ambalavasis are broadly div ...

family on 16 February 1916, to Koodallur Kurinjikavil marath Shankunni Marar and Njeralathu pothuvat Janaki Poduvalasyar. Poduval had his schooling till the fifth standard and moved on to practice the

idakka The idakka (), also spelt edaykka/edakka, is an hourglass-shaped drum from Kerala in south India, very similar to the pan-Indian damaru. While the damaru is played by rattling knotted cords against the resonators, the idakka is played with a ...

and the

chenda The Chenda (, ) is a cylindrical percussion instrument originating in the state of Kerala and widely used in Tulu Nadu of Karnataka in India. In Tulu Nadu (Coastal Karnataka), it is known as ''chende''. The instrument is strongly associat ...

. He inherited the art of playing the edakka from his uncle, Njeralathu Karunakara Pothuval, and went on to establish an indelible mark in this field. He also practiced instruments like the

veena The ''veena'', also spelled ''vina'' ( IAST: vīṇā), is any of various chordophone instruments from the Indian subcontinent. Ancient musical instruments evolved into many variations, such as lutes, zithers and arched harps.

from Parappanaatu Rama Kuruppu. He practised

Carnatic music Carnatic music (known as or in the Dravidian languages) is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and southern Odisha. It is o ...

from the

Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar (born Vaidyanatha Iyer, 28 August 1896 – 16 October 1974) was an Indian Carnatic music singer from Kerala. He was born in Vatakara, Kerala, and moved to Palakkad along with his family during his childhood.L. R. ...

besides Kodikunnath Madhavan Nair. His experience in Kerala Kalamandalam helped him in gaining knowledge in

Kathakali ''Kathakali'' (International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: Kathakaḷi ) is a traditional form of Indian Classical Dance, and one of the most complex forms of Theatre of India, Indian theatre. It is a play of verses. These vers ...

music as well. Poduval married Lakshmikutty Amma at the age of 36. By the age of 56, he became the father of seven children: Janakikutty, Krishna Vijayan, Gopalakrishnan, Anjaneyan, Gaayathri, Hari Govindan, and Aananda Sivaraman. After his marriage, he lived at Palakkode village near Angadipuram, under the patronage of the chief priest of Thirumanthamkunnu Temple at Angadipuram, Pandhalakkode Sankaran Namboodiri. Poduval died on 13 August 1996, aged 80. He was cremated at the premises of his home in Angadipuram the next day. Rama Poduval, a recipient of the

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (IAST: Saṅgīta Nāṭaka Akādamī Puraskāra), also known as the Akademi Puraskar, is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama. It is the highest Indian recogni ...

, rejuvenated the Sopanam style of traditional Kerala temple music and enthralled the music lovers of Kerala for decades. He brought out this art from within the walls of the temple and made this art popular among the people. There are six different documentary films based on his life and music. 'Sopaanam', his biography in

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of ...

, is also implemented as study material for university students in Kerala. The awards he received also include fellowships from both government and cultural organisations.

Awards and honours

*1981: Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award *1985:

*1985:

Government of Maharashtra The Government of Maharashtra is the executive branch of the Indian states of india, state of Maharashtra. The government is led by the List of chief ministers of Maharashtra, chief minister (currently Devendra Fadnavis since 5 December 2024) ...

Department of Culture Award *1985: Kerala Kalamandalam Keerthi Shankh *1990: Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship *1990: Marar Kshemasabha Kalacharya Award *1994: Guruvayoorappan Award *1996: Trithala Kesavapothuval Memorial Award *1996: Pravasi Basheer Award

Books on him

The fourth edition of his autobiography named ''Sopanam'' was published by

Kerala Sahitya Akademi The Kerala Sahitya Akademi or Academy for Malayalam Literature is an autonomous body established to promote the Malayalam language and Malayalam literature, literature. It is situated in the city of Thrissur, Kerala in India. History The acad ...

. In 2004

Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi is located in Thrissur city, of Kerala, in India. The academy presents awards for various fields like music, dance, theatre and traditional art forms. Some of the major awards include: * Kerala Sangeetha Nata ...

published his biography titled ''Njeralathu ramapothuval''.

References

External links

Rama Poduval at Basheer puraskaram
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rama Poduval, Neralattu People from Kerala Carnatic instrumentalists 1916 births 1996 deaths 20th-century Indian musicians Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Malayali people People from Palakkad district Recipients of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award