Born on 16th February 1916 at a village named Anakkara in Palakkad District of Kerala state in south India, Njeralathu Raama Pothuval (Njeralathu Ramapothuval) the eldest son of Koodallur Kurinjikaavil Marath Sankunni Maaraar and Janakipothuvalsyar was of course a blessed artist. He spent most of his childhood in his ancestral home “Njeralathu”  which was situated near a temple of lord Sree Rama. His family consisted, besides parents, of two sisters and two brothers. He went to the school only till fifth standard and moved on to the full time practice of Idaykka and Chenda. Eventually he became a virtuoso in these instruments. He inherited the art of playing Idaykka from his uncle Njeralathu Karunakara Pothuval which helped him establish an indelible mark of his own in this field. It’s an art, unique in its kind in the whole world of music. Sopaanasangeetham the genre of ritual music, he popularized does exclusively belong to the state of Kerala. This genre is also known as “Kottipaadiseva” meaning serving the gods and goddesses by singing songs to the accompaniment of a unique percussion instrument, in praise of them. 


Apart from practicing Idaykka with his uncle, he has inherited from his father the art of playing Chenda-another percussion instrument used in temple rituals. He also practiced instruments like Veena with Parappanaatu Ramakurupu. He practiced Karnatic music with 'Loka Guru' Chembai Vaidhyanaadha Bhaagavathar. He was taught classical music by Kodikunnath Madhavan Nair. His experience in Kerala Kalamandalam helped him gain a deep knowledge in Kathakali music.

At the age of 41, he married Lakshmikutty Amma D/o Govindan Komaram and Kolleri Kunjimaluamma, residing at Angadipuram in Malappuram District.  At 61, hehad seven children - Janakikutty, Krishna vijayan, Gopalakrishnan, Anjaneyan, Gaayathri, Harigovindan and Aananda sivaraman. After his marriage he stayed at Palakkode village near Angadipuram under the patronage of the chief priest of Thirumandhamkunnu temple at Angadipuram, Pandhalakkode Sankaran Namboodiri, till his death on 13th August 1996.