Mala Aravindan

Mala Aravindan (15 January 1939 – 28 January 2015) was an Indian actor. He was best known for his work as a comedian and character artist in Malayalam films. He has acted in over 500 films.

Early life

Aravindan was born at Vadavucode in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, as the eldest son of Thanattu Ayyappan and Ponnamma. His father was an excise department employee, and his mother, a school music teacher. Soudamini, late Ramanathan (died in 2004), and Prakashan are his siblings.

Aravindan's father died when he was studying in seventh class. Later, when his mother got transferred, his family relocated to Mala in the Thrissur district, and he started using the place name as a prefix to his name. He had his primary education from St. Antony's High School, Mala, where his mother was a music teacher. Seeing his talent in playing the Tabla, his mother joined him with Cochin Mohammed Ustad, a famous Tabla artist. He joined for Pre-degree at Christ College, Irinjalakuda, but dropped out in between to concentrate on his career.

Career

Aravindan started his career as a Tabla artist. He joined stage plays and started playing Tabla as a background artist. Later, he moved into acting and started performing in professional stage plays of Kottayam National Theaters, Nadakashala, Suryasoma Theatres etc. He continued acting in dramas for 12 years. He has won Kerala State Nataka Academy's Best Actor award for his role in Sooryasoma's play Nidhi. He received State Award in 1978 and 6 other state level awards for the stage play Rasna.

Mala was well known for his different acting techniques which included gestures, vocal variations and his unique laughing style. He was a jovial person who could shoot jokes at any situation. In one interview, Mala remembered once a random guy who came to him and asked him to tell some jokes. during the 1980s, Mala was a really busy artist since he was part of most of the movies doing various comedy roles. He also sang the popular song "Neeyarinjo Melemanathu" along with Mohanlal in the 1985 movie Kandu Kandarinju. His memorable characters are from the movies Bhoothakannadi, Sallapam, Thaaravu, Mimics Parade, Kanmadam, Joker, Meesha Madhavan etc. In the late 1990s, when the mimicry trend took over Malayalam Cinema, there were movies like Moonu Kodiyum Munnooru Pavanum and Mimics Super 1000, which featured full-fledged spoof characters imitating Mala Aravindan by various mimicry artists. Mala was a great fan of actor Nagesh and his acting style was greatly influenced by Nagesh.

Personal life

Aravindan is married to Geetha on 2 February 1971, after five years of dating. Geetha is a Christian, and was previously named Anna before changing her name. The couple has two children, Kishore (Muthu) and Kala. Kishore is married to Deepthi, and they have a son, Vedavyasan, and two daughters, Varalakshmi and Urvi. Kala is married to Surendran, and they have two children, Vishnu and Devi.

Death

Mala Aravindan was admitted to Kovai Medical Centre Hospital in Coimbatore on 19 January 2015, following a massive heart attack and was shifted to the ICU on 24 January, where he was diagnosed with diffused block. He was on ventilator support. The actor had earlier undergone an angiogram after being hospitalized. He died on 28 January 2015 at 6:30 AM, just five days short of his 44th wedding anniversary. He was 76. He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.

Awards

2013 : Kerala Film Critics Association Awards - Chalachitra Prathiba Puraskar Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi Award for Best Actor - Nidhi (Suryasoma Theatres)

Filmography

1960s Year Title Role Notes 1967 Thalirukal Uncredited role Pathirapattu Uncredited role 1968 Thokkukal Kadha Parayunnu

1970s Year Title Role Notes 1970 Madhuvidhu Olavum Theeravum 1976 Sindooram Madhuram Thirumadhuram Vakeel 1978 Samayamaayilla Polum KK Kanichukulangara Madhurikkunna Rathri 1979 Kannukal Kuruppu Agnivyooham Angakkuri Aavesham Thirumeni

1980s Year Title Role Notes 1980 Muthuchippikal Sadashivan Eden Thottam Rajappan Thaliritta Kinakkal Chakara Kochu Pilla Arangum Aniyarayum Ananthan Deepam Subrahmanyam Adhikaram Appukuttan Kaavalmaadam Rappai Daaliya Pookkal 1981 Oru Vilippadakale Dwandha Yudham S.I. Kuttapu Thakilu Kottampuram Vasu Itha Oru Dhikkari Kumar Avatharam Parasahayam Thankappan Sphodanam Vasu Pilla Thaaraavu Thanki Raktham Kuttappan Thadavara Karnan Sambhavam Arayannam Antony Vayal Naanu Nair Sphodanam Vasu Pilla Swapnaraagam Greeshmajwala Nair Aarathi Damu Ariyappedatha Rahasyam Gopi 1982 Kolakomban Komaram Ethiralikal Pareed Mylanchi Moosa Kakka Pooviriyum Pulari 1983 Coolie Nizhal Moodiya Nirangal Kuruppu Kolakomban Maniyara Moideenkutty Thaavalam Vaasu Rathilayam Lonappan Ee Yugam Mazhanilavu Mathukutty Pourasham Tomy Aana Thomas Belt Mathai Kuttan Pilla 1984 Sreekrishna Parunthu Shankushar Vepraalam Jolly John Theere Pratheekshikkathe Karunan Ethirppukal Ayyappan Velichamillatha Veethikal Pavam Krooran Mathulan NH 47 PC Velu Pilla Kadamattathachan Ithappiri Kaliyil Alpam Karyam Driver Shankarankutty Swantham Sarika Poochakkoru Mookkuthi "Shakthi" Raghavan Pillai Vanitha Police Manithali Subaid Koottinilamkili Govinda Pilla Thathamme Poocha Poocha Balaraman 1985 Shathru Thamarakshan/Kottada Vasu Saandham Bheekaram Akalathe Ambili Black Mail Manikyam Scene No. 7 Pankan Pilla Oru Kudakeezhil Pushpangathan Akkachide Kunjuvava Maniyara Kandu Kandarinju Kittan Oru Nokku Kanan Vidyadharan Mashu Makan Ente Makan Vasudevan Akkare Ninnoru Maran Raghavan Koodum Thedi Vasu Premalekhanam Kunchan Vellarikka Pattanam Upahaaram Sundareshan 1986 Ninnistham Ennishtam Chakrapani Love Story Krishnankutty Akalangalil Oru Yugasandhya Kuttappan Ithramathram Augustine Katturumbinum Kathu Kuthu Johnny Ponnum Kudathinum Pottu Ayyappan Rareeram Aravindakshan Ice Cream Worker Padayani Ramu Veendum Driver Sreekar Snehamulla Simham Kuttan Atham Chithira Chothi Pushkaran Prathyekam Sradhikkukka Detective Veerabhadran Moonnu Masangalku Mumbu Ranjan Aalorungi Arangorungi Mathunni/Chakkunni Shyama Appukuttan Geetham Bose Adukkan Entheluppam Markose Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku Panikkar Ente Entethu Mathrem Sathyasheelan Nyayavidhi Mathunni Ennu Nathante Nimmi Sayipp Naale Njangalude Vivaham Mathachan Kunjattakilikal Panikkar Oppam Oppathinoppam Neelakandan Pappan Priyappetta Pappan Revathikkoru Pavakkutty Vaidyar Rarichan Nair 1987 Manja Manthrangal Raghavan Kalam Mari Katha Mari Koya Athinumappuram Kottum Kuravayum Mangalya Charthu Pappan Ivare Sookshikkuka Oru Sindoora Pottinte Ormaykku Agni Muhurtham Balan Nirabhedangal Krishan Swargam 1988 Ulsavapittennu Postman Pisharody Janmandharam Karunan Loose Loose Arappiri Loose Mala Onninu Purake Mattonnu Appu Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas Swamy Sanghunadam Danger Thankapan Athirthikal Velayudhan Moonnam Mura Bus Driver Kandathum Kettathum Sadananthan Pattanapravesham Damu 1989 V.I.P. Kuttoos Agnichirakulla Moham Govindan Prabhatham Chuvanna Theruvil Annakutty Kodambakkam Vilikkunnu Maducakkuzhi Achan Ammavanu Pattiya Amali Thomson Kodugallur Bhagavathi Jeevitham Oru Ragam Carnival Govindan Mahayanam Govindankutty Puthiya Karukkal Rajappan Indhanam

1990s Year Title Role Notes 1990 Kottayam Kunjachan Anthru Mukham Agasthy Enquiry Ponnaranjanam Ayyappan 1991 Georgootty C/O Georgootty Drama Artist Kalamorukkam Daivasahayam Lucky Centre Mookilla Rajyathu Ameen Kadinjool Kalyanam Mahassar Shivadasan Kalari Uncle Bun Mathai Amina Tailors Jabbar Agninilavu May Dinam Coach Warrier Keli Commentator Neelagiri Ganamela Appukuttan Mimics Parade Mammooty Kizhakkunarum Pakshi Nanappan Sandesam SI Aanandan 1992 Mr & Mrs Kasargod Khader Bhai Mammooty Congratulations Miss Anitha Menon Achu Neelakurukkan Maanyanmar Professional killer Oru Swapnam Pole Poochakkaru Mani Kettum Venukuttan Welcome to Kodaikanal Eradi First Bell Simhadhwani Ezhara Ponnana Anthappan Ente Ponnu Thampuran Ravunni Ayalathe Adheham Selvam Annu Good Friday Kallan Kappalil Thanne Appunni Mashu Kizhakkan Pathrose Church Priest Maanthrika Cheppu Utsavamelam 1993 City Police Pravachakan Velandi Kanyakumariyil Oru Kavitha Uppukandam Brothers Sowbhagyam Karunan Venkalam Ayyappan Jackpot Doctor Koushalam Priest Sarovaram Addeham Enna Iddeham Head Constable Kunjeesho Vakkeel Vasudev Narayanan Aagneyam Sukumaran Pillai Customs Diary Skariachan Ponnuchami 1994 Varanamalyam Mathai Kadal Lasar Kambolam Kochappy Dollar Vettukili Damodharan Gothram Varaphalam Adv. Arunkumar Manathe Kottaram Kumaran Pingami Velichappadu Vadhu Doctoranu Chinnappan 1995 Oru Abhibhashakante Case Diary Kuttan Agnidevan Vijayan Special Squad Kochaugasthy Kokkarakko Mazhavilkoodaram Subair's father Puthukottyile Puthu Manavalan Punnaram 1996 Kinnam Katta Kallan Constable Mathew Joseph Excuse Me Ethu Collegila Harbour King Solomon Dominic Presentation Father Joseph Medayil Saamoohyapaadam Pushpangathan Sallapam Kunjookuttan Ashaari Sathyabhamakkoru Premalekhanam Koduval Prakasan Mimics Action 500 Kurup 1997 Kudamattam Shobanam Poomarathanalil Ambujakshan Kaduva Thoma D'Cruz Snehadoothu Veeramani Anjarakalyanam Bhoothakkannadi Ekkareyanente Manasam Sudhakaran Gajaraja Manthram Sammanam Ramashan Junior Mandrake Maniyan Vaidhyan Hitler Brothers Ramankutty Arjunan Pillayum Anchu Makkalum Parameswaran Kaliyoonjal Paraman Kalyana Unnikal 1998 Manthri Maalikayil Manasammatham Thirakalkkappuram Kulirkattu Thattakam Panchaloham Karutha Kanmadam Swami Velayudhan Magician Mahendralal from Delhi Mammad 1999 Charlie Chaplin Driver Achu Aayiram Meni Sankaran

2000s Year Title Role Notes 2000 Mark Antony C.K. Ayyappan Ival Draupadi Ravunni Madhuranombarakattu Abdulla Joker Kumarettan Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal Sankaran Rapid Action Force Jail warden Varnakkazhchakal Chathutti 2001 Ennum Sambavami Yuge Yuge Chithrathoonukal Kakki Nakshithrem Sreedharan Pranayakalathu Thenthuli Kabani Karumadikkuttan Aashan Unnathangalil Joseph Bhadra Andolanam 2002 Ee Bhargaveenilayam Grandmother Swaraga Ganga Swapnahalliyil Oru Naal Suvarna Mohangal Desam Marthandan Aala Kattuchembakam Kattumooppan Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha Paanan Meesha Madhavan Mullani Pappan Jagathy Jagadeesh in Town Kallan Bhaskaran Oomappenninu Uriyadappayyan Mooppan Valkannadi Unnithiri Vaidyar 2003 Nandanam Sankaran Mooshari Njan Salperu Ramankutty Qadir Chithrathoonukal Kaliyodam Varum Varunnu Vannu Pattalam Ex-military Gopalan Mullavalliyum Thenmavum Gopalan Nair 2004 Chitrakoodam Shankaran Thattan Sethurama Iyer CBI Kuzhivetti Mathai Rasikan Shivankutti's Uncle Perumazhakkalam Kunjikkannan 2005 Ponmudipuzhayorathu Thankappan OK Chacko Cochin Mumbai Paramu Finger Print Chanthupottu Kanaran Kadha 2006 Moonnamathoral Achanteponnu Makkal Oruvan Velu Arunam 2007 Athisayan Justice Rama Moorthy Panthaya Kozhi Chakrapani 2008 Chithrasalabhangalude Veedu Mizhikal Sakshi Kadarukutty Musaliar Mayabazar Kumarankutty Ashan Thavalam Shalabam Kumaran Mulla De Ingottu Nokkiye Cleetus Positive 20 Kurup 2009 Ee Pattanathil Bhootham Judge Dr. Patient Thankachan Venalmaram Sankarankutty Paribhavam Rahasya Police Pushpan Chagathikoottam T. D. Dasan Std. VI B Teacher

2010s Year Title Role Notes 2010 Swantham Bharya Zindabad Sakhav ACS Again Kasargod Khader Bhai Canvas Cheriya Kallanum Valiya Policeum Kunju 9 KK Road S.I. Mathukkutty Yakshiyum Njanum Valmiki Nanthuni 2011 Ninnishtam Ennishtam 2 Priyappetta Nattukare Pappan 2012 Prabhuvinte Makkal Thappana 2013 August Club Lazer Once Upon a Time Sage God for Sale Velayudan Vallatha Pahayan KQ Beeran Punyalan Agarbattis Ayyappan 2014 Masala Republic Rappayichan Lal Bahadur Shastri C. P. Damodharan 2015 Nellikka Posthumously released Chaminte Company Posthumously released 2016 Noolpalam Posthumously released 2017 Varnyathil Aashanka Photograph of Mullani Pappan, reprisal from Meesa Madhavan

2020s Year Title Role Notes 2021 Kaalchilambu Posthumously released

Television Mouna Nombaram Vallarpadathamma Kadamattathu Kathanar