Mappilappattu singer and Kerala Folklore Akademi vice chairman Eranholi Moosa died at his residence at Gopalpeta in Thalassery on Monday. He was 79.
Moosa had sung several hit Mappilappattu songs. He had undergone treatment in a hospital in Kozhikode for a month before he was shifted to his residence at Thalassery a few weeks ago.
He had rendered and popularised many Mappilappattu numbers in stage programmes in India and in the Gulf. His programme was an essential part of wedding receptions in Muslim families in the region.
In a condolence message, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Moosa had played a major role in popularising the Mappilappattu genre. Remembering the veteran singer as an artiste who had entered the world of music from humble backgrounds, Mr. Vijayan said Moosa had presented a culture that drew even the common man to the world of music.