Well-known Mappilapattu singer VM Kutty died at a private hospital in Kerala’s Kozhikode district on Wednesday morning due to heart-related ailments.
Kutty, who played a key role in popularising Mappila Pattu or Muslim folk songs, was 86.
Kutty, also known to be one of the most popular figures among mainstream Mappilappattu singers, sang at the All India Radio station in Kozhikode before he started performing in shows.
Born in Malappuram district’s Pulikkal, Kutty was the first to present Mappilattu to the public at a literary function in Kasaragod way back in 1972.
He formed a troupe ‘Kuttees Orchestra’ and toured the major cities across India and even enthralled those living in Middle East countries.
He had also proven talent as a lyricist. During the 80s, the VM Kutty-Vilayil Faseela pair in Mappilapattu became a superhit beyond borders.
Kutty had many awards and honors to his credit including the Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy award.
He had sung for seven Malayalam movies and composed ‘Oppanas’ for three others.
