Young mridangam artist Kuzhalmannam G Ramakrishnan of Kerala [Images] on Saturday set a new Guinness record in percussion instruments by playing the mridangam non-stop for over 84 hours.

Ramakrishnan performed the gruelling feat in the presence of two representatives of the Guinness Book of World Records at a specially arranged venue at the Mascot Beach Resort in Kannur.

Suresh Joachin Arulantham of Australia holds the existing 84-hour record set with drums at Zurich, Switzerland [Images], according to a release issued at the venue.

The event titled 'Rhythm for Peace' began at 9 am on May 25, Ramakrishnan's 34th birthday.

Ramakrishnan, hailing from Kuzhalmannam village in Palakkad, went past the 84-hour mark at 9.01 pm.

The event is being held as per the guidelines issued by the Guinness and the Limca Book of World Records authorities, and has drawn a large number of people.

Born in 1971 in a family of musicians, Ramakrishan had his first lessons in music from his father, Gopalakrishana Iyer.

He has won several awards, including a gold medal at the National University festival.

Ramakrishnan, who runs a carnatic music school, is an 'A' grade artist with All India Radio and has accompanied renowned muscians like K J Yesudas, V Dakshinamoorthy, N Ramani, Kadri Gopal Nath and N Rajam in the past.