`Acting is a vocation'
MALEEHA RAGHAVIAH
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Mamu Koya's biography, which is to be published soon, has vignettes of the cultural history of Kozhikode.
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IN LOVE WITH CINEMA: Mamu Koya.
"Let music, art, theatre and cinema be allowed to grow and flourish, so that people from all walks of life, caste and creed can get-together on a single platform. Only by creating such a milieu is it possible to pull down walls created by politics and religion," says Mamu Koya, one of the popular actors in Malayalam cinema.
At his home in Beypore, Kozhikode, Mamu Koya, who prefers to call himself Kozhikode's own son, dwelt upon the the multicultural ambience of Kozhikode.
"Such an atmosphere does not prevail anymore. Crass commercialism and competition have not earned anything. Segmentation of society, implementation of a dress code and so on have all played a part," feels Mamu Koya.
Camaraderie
"Where are the good dramas and songs? We must encourage the younger generation to take up the arts. In the art field there is no Hindu, Muslim or Christian. The sense of togetherness and camaraderie in such a setting is soothing; it is not felt in any other field in life," avers the actor who is in the process of coalescing his memories for a biography that is to be published soon.
Mamu Koya's biography has vignettes of the cultural mosaic of Kozhikode. His drawing room showcases the memorabilia of the more than 500 films he has acted in, including two in Tamil, and a French film, which portrays the life of a missionary who had worked in Kozhikode.
Having been employed as a measurer of timber at Kallayi, Mamu Koya is familiar with every nook and corner of Kozhikode city. This was when he used to act in theatre before joining the celluloid world as a comedian.
Silver screen debut
He made his debut on the silver screen with a minor role in 1997 in `Surumayitta Kannugal.'Another of his early roles was in Nilambur Balan's `Anyarude Bhoomi.'
He continued taking up small roles in both cinema and drama. Soon he left the timber business to devote himself to cinema, and later to television too. He says that his memorable roles were in `Ramji Rao Speaking,' `Nadodikattu,' and `His Highness Abdulla.' His role as Abdu in `Perumazhakalam' had won him an award. He is now acting in Sathyan Anthicad's film with Dileep.
Another movie in the offing is Babu Tirumala's celluloid venture, and `Kayyoppu.' Mamu Koya admits that his first love is cinema. He opines that television is another genre altogether by its very construct, often shallow and episode-oriented.
"For an artiste, cinema is definitely more satisfying. There is a difference in the craft itself," he says. At 60 he does not contemplate retirement. "Acting is a vocation and I will continue to take up roles as long as I can."
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