V. M. Kutty | |
|---|---|
 V. M. Kutty performing in 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Vadakkungara Mohammed Kutty (1935-04-16)April 16, 1935 |
| Died | October 13, 2021(2021-10-13) (aged 86) Kozhikode, Kerala, India |
| Genres | Mappila songs |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, composer, teacher |
| Years active | 1954–2021 |
| Labels | |
Spouse(s) | Amina Sulfath |
Vadakkumgara Mohammed Kutty (known asV. M. Kutty; 16 April 1935 – 13 October 2021) was an IndianMappilapattu singer, writer and composer. Also known as theSultan of Mappilapattu,[1] he is often credited with having performed Mappila songs on stage for the first time in 1957.[2]
Kutty was known to be one of the most popular figures among mainstream Mappilapattu singers. He had also proven talent as a lyricist. Kutty played a major role in popularizing the Mappilappattu genre through experimenting with the traditional music stream.[3]He was a member ofKerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi,Kerala State Chalachitra Academy,Kerala Lalithakala Akademi andMaha Kavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Smarakam.[4] He was thevice chairman ofKerala Folklore Academy. He has also served as an honorary secretary to theInstitute of Mappila Studies.[5][6]
He wonKerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award under the categoryKeraleeya Kalakal in 1997. He received Kerala Folklore Academyfellowship in 2017.[7] He was conferred with anhonorary doctorate (D.Litt) byThunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University.[1]
V. M. Kutty was born inPulikkal, a village nearKondotty in oldMalabar District ofMadras Presidency (present-dayMalappuram district,Kerala) to Vadakkumgara Unnein Musaliyar and Ithachukutty on April 16, 1935.[8][9][1] He completed his schooling from AMM LowerPrimary School, Pulikkal and Government Model Upper Primary School, Kondotty. After passingmatriculation from Government Ganapath Vocational HigherSecondary School,Feroke andTTC from Seva Mandir Post Basic Higher Secondary School,Ramanattukara,[10] he began his career as a teacher at AM Lower Primary School inKolathur in 1957 and then becomes theheadmaster but left the job in 1985 to pursue his passion for singing.[6][1]
Kutty had imbibed the first music lessons from his paternal uncle Unneen and aunt Pandikasala Ottappilakkal Fathimakutty.[3] For Kerala'sMuslim women, it was compulsory to learn the songs written inArabi Malayalam. It was Fathimakutty who initiated Kutty into the world of Mappilappattu.[2]
Mappilapattu are rooted in the folk tradition of Kerala's Muslim community. The songs were traditionally sung in the households of Muslims ofEranad in connection with occasions such as birth, marriage and death. Kutty was reportedly the first to popularise the songs outside the community and sung them at public events.[11] Kutty began his Mappilapattu career by singing forAll India Radio,Kozhikode in 1954.[12]
Kutty formed amusic group exclusively for Mappilapattu songs in 1957,Kutty's Orchestra.[1] It was through Kutty's troupe that many women artistes made their stage debut. And one among them wasVilayil Faseela. She joined the troupe in 1970 and the troupe went to known asVM Kutty-Vilayil Faseela Group, due to the duos popularity.[13]
In 1962, Kutty recorded few of his songs and released it throughHis Master's Voice asgramophone record.[2] Kutty conducted performances across Kerala and major cities of India. With theGulf migration from Kerala picking up pace in the 1980s, his music programmes were much in demand there. The VM Kutty-Vilayil Faseela pair becomes superhit.[14] When his first gramophone records of folk songs became a hit, he followed it up with numerous music cassettes.[1]
He penned lyrics for Malayalam moviesMark Antony andPoovalliyum Kunjadum. He had written approximately twelve books on Mappilapattu and its history and cultural and literary traditions. He had composed music for many folk songs, was playback singer for seven movies and also acted in moviesUlpathi,Pathinalaam Raavu andParadesi.[1][3] Kutty has composed songs for theYesudas'Tharangini mappila songs albumsMylanchi Pattukal Vol. 1 (1984) which includes his most popular compositionSamkrutha Pamagari andMylanchi Pattukal Vol. 3 (1986).[15][16]
V. M. Kutty married Amina and they had eight children. After the demise of Amina he married Sulfath.[8][17]
V. M. Kutty died at the age of 86 on 13 October 2021 at Kozhikode. He was under treatment for heart-related ailments.[6] The funeral was held at the PulikkalJuma Masjid buriyal ground after the body was kept for public homage atMahakavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Mappila Kala Academy.[1]
| Institutions | |
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| Genres | |
| Traditional Instruments | |
| Awards | |
| Classical Musicians |
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| Traditional Musicians | |
| Film Music | |
| Popular Music | |
