Govinda Marar (1798 – 1843), more famously known as Shadkala Govinda Marar was a Carnatic (South Indian Classical) singer from Ernakulam (DT), Kerala, INDIA. He was a contemporary of Saint Thyagaraja Swamikal (the legendary singer, poet and Music composer) and Swathy Thirunal Rama Varma Raja (King of erstwhile Travacore in Kerala, singer, poet and Music Composer). He was also adept in playing musical instruments like Mridangam, Chenda, Edakka and Thimila in any odd timing. His expertise in singing in six degrees of speed (around 32 notes per second) earned him the title ShadKaala (shadkaala= 32nd notes; Demi Semi Quaver speed)
Govinda Marar was born in 1798 in Ramamangalam village in Kerala. His parents belonged to community of Marars (They are considered to be experts in Temple percussion instruments) and performed traditional singing in the temples of Kerala. He took to singing from a very early age. He received his musical lessons from Haripad Ramaswamy Bhagavathar.
He is said to have used a Tamburu having seven strings (conventional Tamburu has only four strings even now). At the age of 21, he left his home to begin a life for Music and was wandering. He is believed to have sung in many important temples in India.
However, he desired to meet the legendary Singer Saint Thayaga Raja Swamikal, who was residing in the state of Tamilnadu. But he was laughed at by Musicians including the Disciples (Great Professional Musicians) of Thyagaraja Swamikal. But when the Saint heard that somebody has come to meet him, he called him inside and requested him to sing a song for him. Then he sang a Classical song, improvised the Swaras (notes) and reached the highest speed. Then the Saint saluted him and composed his famous song then and there in “Sree Ragam”. The song named “Endoru Mahaanu” has deepest meaning in it….that “….there are so many GREAT SOULS in the World in different fields and I salute all those people……” This song is sung every year, even now, on his birthday in different parts of India by musicians, all sitting together (irrespective of professionals and others) as a tribute to him.
After leading the life of a wandering for a long time, he reached the temple of Panduranga (Pandharpur in Maharashtra). He was revered as Paramahamsa Govinda Das. The temple records note that he attained Samadhi (died) in 1843
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Many people write to me that playing fast Bass is not Music. But the aforesaid facts reveal that Musicians used to attempt to sing and play notes at higher pace even centuries before. So I believe that there is nothing wrong in playing Music at Higher pace, and there is meaning in it….though Music is not playing fast alone… But I always love to Groove than playing fast.
Jayen Varma, Bassist
