Actor Mala Aravindan, who fostered a new style of comedy in Malayalam cinema, died at a private hospital in Coimbatore on Wednesday. He was 76.
The actor was admitted to the hospital after he had a heart attack on January 19. He was on ventilator support. The end came around 6.30 a.m. The body was kept at the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi’s K.T. Mohammed Memorial Regional Theatre at 12.10 p.m. and later at the St. Antonys School, Mala, for the public to pay homage.
Among those who paid their last respects were Therambil Ramakrishnan and T.N. Prathapan, MLAs, Mayor Rajan Pallan, District Collector M.S. Jaya, film-makers Satyan Anthikkad, Priyanandanan, Ambili, playback singer P. Jayachandran, music director Vidyadharan, CPI(M) district unit secretary A.C. Moideen, and DCC president O. Abdurahman Kutty.
The body will be cremated on the premises of his house at Mala on Thursday.
400 films
Mala Aravindan had acted in more than 400 films. He had worked in commercial theatre for 12 years, and 40 years, in the film industry. He started his career as a tabla player.
After school, he joined the music wing of a drama troupe. He substituted for an actor who did not turn up for a show of Kattur Balans play Thalavattom . He later worked in troupes such as Kottayam National Theatres, Nadakashala, and Suryasoma Theatres.
In 1978, he won the State Award for Best Actor for his performance in the play Nidhi .
He made his movie debut with Ente Kunju , but the film remained in the cans. His first major role was in the 1968 movie Sindooram , directed by Balakrishnan.
Among the roles that won him appreciation were those in Kanmadam , Agnidevan, Mimics Parade, Alorungi Arangorungi,Poochakkoru Mookkuthi, Venkalam, Uppukandam Brothers, Bhoothakannadi, Joker, Kandu Kandarinju, Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal, Madhura Nombarakattu, Vadhu Doctoranu, Meesha Madhavan, Mahayanam, Pattalam, Sethurama Iyer CBI, Loose Loose Arappiri Loose, Perumazhakkalam, Rasikan, Sandesam, and Punayalan Agarbathis .