Gulf Mappilappattu Awards

By KK Moidu
Winners of the prestigious Gulf Mappilappattu Awards 2008 (GMA) were announced at a press conference held at Sagar Hotel, Bur Dubai. The winners are selected by the jury committee headed by Khaleelulla Chemnad on the basis of thousands of SMS votes from the UAE audience. The cash awards and memento will be presented to the winners on Oct. 31, at Dubai Al Nasr Leisure Land, said one of the organiser Jamsheer C of Time Pass Entertainment. Other organisers and sponsors of GMA, Shamsudheen, managing director, Nellara Food Products, Razak Kochanoor, Dubai Gate managing director and chairman and Nasar Mannur were also attended at the press conference. The lifetime achievement award for senior male singers category will be given to two Mappilappattu veterans, Moosa Eranjoli and Peer Muhammad. Yesteryears leading female singer’s Ramla Beegam and Vilayil Faseela were chosen for the lifetime achievement award for the senior female singer’s category. Best lyricist and best music director awards went to Bappu Vellipparambu and Kozhikkode Abubaker respectively. Mappilappattu lovers have selected Kannur Sharif as the best male and Rahana as the best female singer. Nenjinullil Neeyanu is the most popular song and Snehamaanu Sundari is the popular audio album. The best newcomer male singer award was won by youngster’s favourite Shafi Kollam. The winners were selected through SMS votes from the UAE audiences for the first time in the history of Mappilappattu, said Khaleelullah Chemnad, chairman of the award committee. He also said “Mappilappattu is just five years older than the Malayalam literature itself but it has been neglected over the years and it couldn't achieve the expected progress. The GMA 2008 is playing an historic role by remembering the artistes and their favourite songs. These artistes played an important role in the high popularity of natural Mappilappattu.” Their valuable contributions will never be forgotten and GMA will honour the talents who sacrificed for finding the roots of Mappilappattu and its rich culture. GMA 2008 is directed by Basheer Changaramkulam. Dr BR Shetty and actor-director Cochin Haneefa will be the chief guests of the programme. The organisers guarantees the ishal night will be a different treat for the audience by the performance of prize winning artistes, violin maestro Bala Bhasker and a variety of entertainment programmes like Oppana, Kolkkali, Duffmuttu etc. GMA 2008 is only a beginning and the awards will be distributed in the coming years said the organisers.