Mappilapattu composer Kozhikode Aboobacker passes away
Renowned Mappilapattu composer Kozhikode Aboobacker has passed away at the age of 80. He was a significant figure in the golden era of Kozhikode's music scene, known for his collaborations with M.S. Baburaj and his contributions to the popular Mappilapattu genre.
Why it matters
His death marks the end of an era for a traditional musical genre that remains culturally significant in Kerala.
Kozhikode Aboobacker, who passed away in Kozhikode aged 80, was a composer of several popular Mappilapattu songs and a musician who belonged to the golden period of music in the city.
He worked along with the legendary composer of melodies in Malayalam cinema, M.S. Baburaj, and had accompanied K.J. Yesudas when he first performed in Kozhikode. There is, in fact, a famous photograph of that show at the Town Hall, in which you could see Aboobacker playing the bongo drums and Baburaj on harmonium, along with Archie Hutton on guitar and C.M. Vadiyil on violin.
Few pictures would speak about Kozhikode’s musical tradition as that picture. What it doesn’t say is the contribution Aboobacker would make it Mappilapattu, a genre of music that continues to enjoy popularity.
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