Performing artiste, comedian V D Rajappan passes away

Popular comedian VD Rajappan is no more

One of Kerala's most popular Kadhaprasangam (storytelling) artistes and film comedian VD Rajappan died on Thursday at a private hospital in Kottayam, family sources said.

Rajappan, 70, was ailing for the past few years. He is survived by his wife and two sons. The last rites would take place on Friday near Kottayam.

In the yesteryears, Kadhaprasangam was a hugely popular performing art in the state. It is performed by just one person who tells the story by acting, singing and speaking and at times playing musical instruments as well.

Rajappan did value addition in this this dying art form in the form of parody songs into his story telling and was hugely popular in the 70s.

It was based on this he entered the Malayalam film industry and acted in more than 100 films, mostly playing the role of a comedian from 1982 to 2005.

Meleparambil Aanveedu, Alibabayum Arara Kallanmarum, Mutharamkunnu P.O, Kusruthikkaattu are some of his popular films.

As a performing artiste, he has staged his Kadhaprasangam performance in over 6,000 stages not just in Kerala but outside the state and abroad.

Kerala Minister for Cinema Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said Rajappan was a hugely popular artiste who took the art form to newer heights and helped him to enter the films.

"He will be solely missed, but his 'stories' will be always heard for many years to come," said Radhakrishnan.

Kadhaprasangam maestro and actor VD Rajappan passes away in Kottayam

Kadhaprasangam maestro and actor VD Rajappan passes away in Kottayam

He was known for his unique brand of stand-up comedy in Kerala

Kadhaprasangam maestro and actor VD Rajappan passed away at a private hospital in Kottayam. He was 70. 

Once a very busy and loved artist, Rajappan had faded out of the public consciousness due to ill-health. In May 2015, director Aashiq Abu had posted on Facebook asking all kind-hearted folks to help the ailing artist settled at Ettumanur with contributions for his treatment.

With his unique stand-up comic act from the early 70s to the end of the 90s, Rajappan had also acted in more than 50 Malayalam movies. 

Considered to be one of the greatest proponents of Kathaprasangam (Story-telling) in Kerala, Rajappan gifted his devoted fans many memorable performances such as Priye Ninte Kura, Amittu, Kumari Eruma, Mak Mak, Ennennum Kurangettandeh and many such others.

His very own brand of comedy coupled with his extremely popular parody songs that he incorporated through his humorous treatment of kathaprasangams had carved out a special niche for him in the heart of Malayalis across the globe.

In 2014, Mazhavil Manorama through their show Cinemaa Chirimaa directed by Siddhique had also reached out to the veteran mimicry artiste who was undergoing various aliments at that time.

‘Ok Chacko Cochin Mumbai’ was his last movie. Starting his movie career in the 1980s, he went on to have a successful tint as a comedian in cinema and was very popular among the masses.

Born to Devadas and Vasanthy in Kottayam, he leaves behind his wife Sulochana and two sons Rajesh and Rajeev.