Mamukkoya (1946-2023) was an Indian actor, who mainly worked in Malayalam films. He appeared in more than 450 Malayalam films, mainly in comic roles. He was the first person to receive State Award for Best Comedian in Malayalam cinema. [1]Live Mint On 24 April 2023, he suffered a heart attack, and two days later, he passed away due to a brain haemorrhage. [2]The Free Press Journal
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Mamukkoya (also spelt as Mamukoya) aka Mamukka [3]Instagram – Mamukoya was born on Friday, 5 July 1946 (age 76 years; at the time of death) in Pallikkandi, Malabar District, Madras Presidency, British India (now Kozhikode, Kerala, India). His zodiac sign is Cancer. In Kerala, he did his schooling at Elementary School in Pallikandi, GVHSS Kuttichira Senior Secondary School in Kuttichira, and MM High School in Kozhikode. While he was studying in school, he performed in various stage plays. After completing his school, he started working at a timber yard in Kallayi. He used to work in the timber yard during the day and perform in stage plays and nukkad nataks at night. He also used to sell mud and moringa leaves and sticks. Later, he joined a cultural troupe named Saigal Arts Productions.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 7″
Hair Colour: Black (semi-bald)
Eye Colour: Black
Family
He belonged to a Muslim family. [4]The South First
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Chalikandiyil Muhammed (Mammad), and his mother’s name is Imbachi Ayisha. He had a brother named Koyakutty.
Wife & Children
On 4 June 1972, he got married to Suhara. His sons are Muhammed Nizar (actor) and Abdul Rasheed, and his daughters are Nadiya Mamukkoya and Shahitha Mamukkoya.
Mamukkoya and his wife
Mamukkoya with his family
Mamukkoya’s son Muhammed Nizar
Career
Theatre
He started his career as a theatre artist and worked in various Malayalam theatre plays.
Film
Malayalam
In 1979, he made his acting debut with the Malayalam film ‘Anyarude Bhoomi’ in which he played a cameo role.
Anyarude Bhoomi
He gained immense popularity with comic roles and supporting roles in various Malayalam films such as ‘Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam’ (1986), ‘Pattanapravesham’ (1988), ‘Gajakesariyogam’ (1990), ‘Mullavalliyum Thenmavum’ (2003), ‘Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham’ (2021), and ‘Kuruthi’ (2021).
A still from the film Gajakesariyogam
Tamil
In 1990, he made his Tamil film debut with ‘Arangetra Velai’ in which he did a cameo role.
Arangetra Velai
He appeared in a few other Tamil films like ‘Kasu’ (2006) and ‘Cobra’ (2022).
Cobra
French
In 1997, he appeared in the French film ‘Flammen im Paradies’ in which he played the role of Joseph.
A still of Mamukkoya from the film Flammen im Paradies
Television
Mamukkoya also acted in a few Malayalam TV serials like ‘Manasi’ (Doordarshan), ‘Cinemala’ (1993; Asianet), ‘Santhanagopalam’ (2005; Asianet), and ‘Akkare Ikkare’ (2009; Asianet). In 2012, a Malayalam animated TV series ‘Gafoor Ka Dosth’ (with Mamukkoya’s animated character in the lead role) was aired on Jeevan TV.
Mamukkoya’s animated character in the Gafoor Ka Dosth
Short Film
He appeared in a few Malayalam short films such as ‘Al Moidu’ by Zakeen TV and ‘Funeral of Native Son’ by Bodhi Silent Scape.
Al Moidu
Other Work
He was featured in the Malayalam music video ‘Native Bappa’ by Mappila Lahala in 2013.
Native Bappa
Awards
- 2004: Kerala State Film Award- Special Jury Mention for the Malayalam film Perumazhakkalam
- 2004: Kerala Film Critics Association Award- Second Best Actor for the Malayalam film Perumazhakkalam
- 2008: Kerala State Film Award- Best Comedian for the Malayalam film Innathe Chintha Vishayam
- 2008: Jaihind TV Award- Best Comedy Artist for the Malayalam film Innathe Chintha Vishayam
- 2009: Jaihind TV Award- Kala Ratnam Award for various films
- 2012: Asiavision Award- Best Supporting Actor for the Malayalam films Molly Aunty Rocks! and Vellaripravinte Changathi
- 2020: Kerala Film Critics Association Award- Chalachitra Prathibha Award for various films
Death
On 26 April 2023, he died of a brain haemorrhage. [5]The Free Press Journal Earlier, on 24 April 2023, while he was in Malappuram, Kerala, to inaugurate a sevens’ football tournament at Wandoor, he suffered a heart attack. He was then immediately rushed to a private hospital in Kozhikode, Kerala. However, after two days, his health started deteriorating, and he died of a brain haemorrhage. On his demise, the Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan shared his grief through his Twitter account. He tweeted,
Mamukkoya, with his lively and novel on-screen performances, has enthralled film lovers across Kerala for decades. His sudden demise is a big loss to the industry, the world of art and the state’s public sphere. Joining the grief of family, friends, and the film world.”
Facts/Trivia
- Since his school days, he loved playing football. Even in his older days, he used to play various football matches with his friends.
Mamukkoya during a football match
- In an interview, he shared that he was born into a poor family. On his wedding day, he didn’t even have shoes to wear. He had borrowed shoes from one of his friends for the wedding. [6]Mathrubhumi
- He shared a good bond with Vaikom Muhammad Basheer (writer), S. K. Pottekkatt (writer), and M. S. Baburaj (music composer).
- During the post-Babri Masjid demolition phase, a few Congress leaders asked him to campaign for one of their candidates for the local body elections in Wayanad, Kerala. He agreed to it, and when he was invited on stage to promote Congress’ candidate, instead of supporting the candidate, he urged people not to vote for Congress, as it was their government’s decision to demolish Babri Masjid. The Congress leader was shocked to see his response. Mamukkoya then said that he cannot lie to people and that he would do whatever he felt was right. Reportedly, after this incident, no political party invited him to campaign for them. [7]The South First
- Mamukkoya used to support various social campaigns. At various events, he talked about unity and amity among communities. He once questioned the concepts of haram and halal in Islam. He said that in Islam, photography was considered haram, but when passports became mandatory to visit the holy place of Hajj, it became halal. [8]The New Indian Express
- In 2018, he made a few Dubsmash videos which became very popular.
- His unique style of speaking the Mappila Muslim language in the films was liked by the audiences.
- After his demise in 2023, an Indian sculptor named Unni Kanayi shared that a few days before his demise, Mamukkoya had called Unni and asked him to build a large sculptor of Karinthandan, a martyr from Wayanad. However, he passed away before his wish could be fulfilled. [9]Mathrubhumi
References
