V.D. Rajappan

Biography: V. D. Rajappan (Velikuzhiyil Devadasan Rajappan, 1944–2016) was a popular Malayalam comedian, actor, parody singer, and kathaprasangam (storytelling performance) artist from Kottayam, Kerala. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of parody songs in Malayalam and became famous for his unique style of combining humor, storytelling, and music. Rajappan began his career as a stage performer in the 1970s and gained immense popularity through humorous kathaprasangam works such as Mak Mak, Kumari Eruma, Priye Ninte Kura, and Ennennum Kurangettande. His performances attracted large audiences across Kerala and abroad. He entered the Malayalam film industry with the movie Kakka (1982) and went on to act in more than 100 films, mainly in comic roles. Some of his notable films include Kuyiline Thedi, Engane Nee Marakkum, Aattakalasam, and Kusruthikaatu. Born on 3 January 1944 in Kottayam, Rajappan rose from a difficult childhood marked by poverty to become one of Kerala's most beloved entertainers. In his later years, he suffered from health problems and passed away on 24 March 2016 at the age of 72. His contributions to Malayalam comedy, parody music, and kathaprasangam continue to be remembered by generations of Malayalis.