Stage falls silent as Kozhikode's Vijayan Malapparamb takes his final bow

Kozhikode: Noted theatre artist and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi award winner Vijayan Malapparamb (75) has passed away. He had been suffering from renal disease and died at his residence in Payyadathaazham, Chelannoor.

He was a notable presence in the segment of professional drama. He performed in plays by renowned personalities such as K T Muhammed, P M Thaj and Ibrahim Vengara. He received the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi’s Best Actor award in 2011 for his role in Mazhameghapravukal, staged by Angamaly Anjaly. He also presented dramas on All India Radio and acted in films including M T Vasudevan Nair’s Kadavu, Raveendran’s Ore Thooval Pakshikal and Chembada.

He was the son of the late Pervakkutty and Rohini. Wife: Radhamani (Kozhikode Kalinga Theatres). Children: Karthika (Westhill Merit Academy), Rohit Vijayan (UK-based business consultant, Mr. India World). Son-in-law: Sanjeev (Thondayadu). Siblings: Prakashan (Mankaavu), Sivanandan (Mundakkalthaazham), Rajesh (Perinthalmanna) and the late Shobhana.

Funeral was held at the Mavoor Road Cemetery on Tuesday at 12 noon.

A life on stage, a graceful exit
The lights have dimmed. Vijayan Malapparamb has removed his makeup and exited the stage, leaving behind nearly 1,000 roles to his credit. A man who made audiences laugh, cry and applaud with his emotive skills as an actor and a hero.

A man who struggled to make ends meet offstage. As Vijayan Malapparamb, an actor through and through, fades into memory, it marks the loss of a Kozhikode touch in the world of professional drama.

In 2011, he received the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi award. On days without performances, Vijayan could be found at Rangoon Lodge near the second gate, where he worked. To those who came to visit him there, he would say: “I am the actor you are looking for. I have a role like this between drama and life. Drama is my life. But this role is to survive beyond drama.”

Vijayan was active in amateur drama during his school years at Malapparamb School, St Joseph High School and through pre-degree at SN College. His friendship with P M Thaj and Najmal Babu opened the doors to professional drama. He made his debut with Thaj’s Perumbara and later became the favourite hero of theatre giant K T Muhammed.

Vijayan played the lead in Naalkkavala, the first drama staged by K T Muhammed under the Kalinga Theatre banner in 1978. He remained a constant presence in KT’s dramas such as Kainaattikal, Asthivaaram, Meghasandesham, Daivashasthram, Deepasthambham Mahaashacharyam, Vellapokkam, Srishtti, Ithu Bhumiyaanu, Kafir and Aparichithan. He stood as KT’s pillar for 15 years.

Later, he joined Ibrahim Vengara’s productions, playing the lead in Raajyasabha, which was staged nearly 300 times across Kerala. He also acted in Upahaaram, Odiyan and Medappathu for Vengara’s Chiranthana Theatres.

Vijayan performed in Benny P Nayarambalam’s Ayalathe Visheshangal after joining Cochin Kala Samithi in Perumbavur. His roles in Easwarante Melvilasam and Ividam Swargamaanu, directed by Karakulam Chandran for Angamaly Bharathakshethra Theatres, further increased his popularity. He later acted in Vakkam Shakkeer’s Chirakala Swapnam after moving to Angamaly Anjaly. His portrayal of Devadasan Maash in Mazhameghapravukal followed his performances in Medapponnu and Nerariyum Neram.

Vijayan always carried the trauma of being rejected in the final round of the State Drama Awards 14 times. However, his role as “Devadasan Maash” finally earned him the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi’s Best Actor award.

Vijayan and Radhamani fell in love and later married after acting together in KT’s dramas such as Ithu Bhumiyaanu, Kafir and Deepasthambham Mahaashacharyam.