KOZHIKODE: Ali Kallai must have been a little boy when he showed his face in I.V. Sasi’s Jayan-starrer Angadi, shot at the busy Valiyangadi, the main market in the city. Now, a head-load worker in the same place, the amateur singer was asked by the city-based G. Devarajan Music Academy to inaugurate a musical tribute to late filmmaker on Sunday.
Ali sang ‘Ilanjippoomanamozhuki…’ from Sasi’s Vincent-starrer Ayalkkari while opening the programme. “I have been watching his [Sasi’s] movies since childhood. Later, I became part of his film crew also as my brother-in-law happened to be his driver. I have worked with him in movies such as 1921 starring Mammootty , ” Ali reminisced. He is currently part of UK Arts Club, Kallai.
Karunakaran Parambil, theatre activist and office-bearer of Janakeeya Nataka Sangham, spoke about Sasi’s contribution to popular cinema. The sparse crowd at the Police Club too had fond memories of the director as one after the other rendered hits from Sasi’s blockbusters. ‘Mainakam…’ ( Thrishna ), ‘Sooryakireedam…’ ( Devasuram ), ‘Kasthoorimanmizhi…’ ( Manushyamrugam ), and ‘Neelajalashayathil…’ ( Angeekaram ) were sung by both amateur and professional singers.
