# 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.
Aravindan started his film career with the movie Ente Kunju, but the film was never released. His first movie released was Thalirukal in 1967 in which he acted as a mental patient among many. His first full-fledged role was in the 1968 movie Sindhooram, directed by Balakrishnan, although it is his critically acclaimed performance from the movie Tharavu which gave him the actual mileage. Since then he has acted in over 400 films for 33 years and established his own style which became his trademark. During the initial stages of his career, the Mala-Pappu-Jagathy trio was a guaranteed crowd-puller among Malayalam film audiences. His last film was Noolppaalam, which is yet to be released. He was the president of the AMMA, the association of Malayalam film artistes.
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 | Notes |
| 1967 | Thalirukal | Uncredited role |
| 1967 | Pathirapattu | Uncredited role |
| 1968 | Thokkukal Kadha Parayunnu | |

### 1970s

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

### 1980s

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

### 1990s

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

### 2000s

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

### 2010s

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