Blab Music
Kozhikode Mappilapattu Maestro Kozhikode Aboobacker Dies at 80
When the sun set on September 1, 2026, the streets of Kozhikode felt a quiet hush as the legendary composer and tabla virtuoso Kozhikode Aboobacker passed away at his home in Ullisserikunnu, Areekad, at the age of 80.
The death was confirmed by local media reports and a statement released by the family. Aboobacker, affectionately called Avukkakka and often dubbed the “Sultan of Mappila songs,” had a career that spanned more than six decades.
Over his lifetime he produced a catalog of more than 3,000 songs that have become staples in the traditional Muslim folk music of Kerala’s Malabar region, according to a report in The Hindu.
Aboobacker’s early work was closely tied to the golden period of Kozhikode’s music scene. He collaborated with legendary Malayalam film composer M.S. Baburaj and accompanied K.J. Yesudas during the singer’s first performance in Kozhikode. A famous photograph from that Town Hall concert shows Aboobacker on bongo drums, Baburaj on harmonium, Archie Hutton on guitar, and C.M. Vadiyil on violin.
His compositions were instrumental in the popularity of Mappilapattu during the 1970s and 1980s. Songs such as “Karayanum parayanum,” performed by Yesudas, and “Yatheeminathani,” sung by K.S. Chithra, appeared on the 1989 album Mailanchipattukal Vol. 5 released by Tharangini, a record that remains a reference point for the genre.
Shows led by figures like V.M. Kutty and Vilayil Valsala (Faseela) regularly featured Aboobacker’s work. The genre, which had enjoyed widespread popularity in earlier decades with albums such as Kathu Pattu selling in large numbers, benefited from his focus on lyrical poetry and refined musical arrangements.
According to a report in MirrorNow, Aboobacker’s influence extended beyond composition; he was also a singer and tabla player who helped shape the soundscape of the Malabar region. The Mathrubhumi article highlighted his discovery by classmate Mamukkoya and his status as a prolific composer of iconic tracks.
Aboobacker had been receiving medical treatment for nearly two months before his passing. The Hindustan Samachar report noted that he died around midnight at his residence in Ullisserikunnu, Areekad. No further details about the cause of death were released.
While no official statements from record labels or music associations were issued at the time of writing, the loss of Aboobacker is widely regarded as a significant moment for the Mappilapattu community. His extensive catalog continues to be performed in concerts and recorded by contemporary artists.
The death of Kozhikode Aboobacker marks the end of an era for traditional Muslim folk music in Kerala. His contributions—spanning composition, performance, and mentorship—have left a lasting imprint on the genre and its audiences. The music community will continue to celebrate his legacy through upcoming performances, reissues of his recordings, and retrospectives that highlight his role in shaping Mappilapattu’s evolution.
The death was confirmed by local media reports and a statement released by the family. Aboobacker, affectionately called Avukkakka and often dubbed the “Sultan of Mappila songs,” had a career that spanned more than six decades.
Over his lifetime he produced a catalog of more than 3,000 songs that have become staples in the traditional Muslim folk music of Kerala’s Malabar region, according to a report in The Hindu.
Aboobacker’s early work was closely tied to the golden period of Kozhikode’s music scene. He collaborated with legendary Malayalam film composer M.S. Baburaj and accompanied K.J. Yesudas during the singer’s first performance in Kozhikode. A famous photograph from that Town Hall concert shows Aboobacker on bongo drums, Baburaj on harmonium, Archie Hutton on guitar, and C.M. Vadiyil on violin.
His compositions were instrumental in the popularity of Mappilapattu during the 1970s and 1980s. Songs such as “Karayanum parayanum,” performed by Yesudas, and “Yatheeminathani,” sung by K.S. Chithra, appeared on the 1989 album Mailanchipattukal Vol. 5 released by Tharangini, a record that remains a reference point for the genre.
Shows led by figures like V.M. Kutty and Vilayil Valsala (Faseela) regularly featured Aboobacker’s work. The genre, which had enjoyed widespread popularity in earlier decades with albums such as Kathu Pattu selling in large numbers, benefited from his focus on lyrical poetry and refined musical arrangements.
According to a report in MirrorNow, Aboobacker’s influence extended beyond composition; he was also a singer and tabla player who helped shape the soundscape of the Malabar region. The Mathrubhumi article highlighted his discovery by classmate Mamukkoya and his status as a prolific composer of iconic tracks.
Aboobacker had been receiving medical treatment for nearly two months before his passing. The Hindustan Samachar report noted that he died around midnight at his residence in Ullisserikunnu, Areekad. No further details about the cause of death were released.
While no official statements from record labels or music associations were issued at the time of writing, the loss of Aboobacker is widely regarded as a significant moment for the Mappilapattu community. His extensive catalog continues to be performed in concerts and recorded by contemporary artists.
The death of Kozhikode Aboobacker marks the end of an era for traditional Muslim folk music in Kerala. His contributions—spanning composition, performance, and mentorship—have left a lasting imprint on the genre and its audiences. The music community will continue to celebrate his legacy through upcoming performances, reissues of his recordings, and retrospectives that highlight his role in shaping Mappilapattu’s evolution.
