Kozhikode Aboobacker, Composer of Enduring Mappilapattu Melodies, Dies at 80

Kozhikode Aboobacker, a veteran Mappilapattu composer, died in Kozhikode aged 80. A musician from the city's golden era, he worked with M.S. Baburaj and accompanied K.J. Yesudas on his first Kozhikode performance. His compositions Karayanum parayanum and Yatheeminathani, from the 1989 Tharangini album Mailanchipattukal Vol. 5, sung by Yesudas and K.S. Chithra respectively, remain among the genre's most beloved songs.

Few pictures would speak about Kozhikode's musical tradition as that picture — Aboobacker on bongo drums, Baburaj on harmonium, Archie Hutton on guitar, and C.M. Vadiyil on violin.