Kozhikode Abdul Kader Biography 
Kozhikode Abdul Kader was one of the earliest playback singers of Malayalam cinema and an established singer as well, in the 1950s. He sung the evergreen song of Malayalam cinema - "Engane Nee Marakkum Kuyile" from the milestone Malayalam film released in 1954 - Neelakuyil. He also sang numerous drama songs in the glorious age of Malayalam theatre. "Pachcha Panamthathe" of the stage play, Nammalonnu was very popular in those days. This single song made him a popular singer. Paadaanorthoru Madhuritha Gaanam was also indeed popular. He was introduced to film music by Dakshinamurthy through 1951 film – Navalokam. The song was Thanka Kinakkal Hridaye veesum.
He was born in the year 1915 in Kozhikode into a Christian family to J. S. Andrews and Manini. His father ran a watch shop in the famous Mitai Theruvu of Kozhikode. He had 7 siblings. He nourished his singing talent by singing in Church choirs. He lost his mother in the teens. After completing School final year, when he was in search of a job, his father sent him to Myanmar (Burma) to his sister’s home. But his fascination to music never seized. After a few months he returned to his hometown, changing his name to Abdul Kader. This decision made his father angry and didn’t allow him to enter the home. But he arranged his meals in a nearby hotel so that his son will sleep hungry.
Later a police constable named took him to his home and he met another struggling musician M. S. Baburaj at his residence. Both these people played a significant role in the success of his singing journey. Later both these singers married the sisters of Kunju Muhammad. Later he moved to police quarters where he lived till his last days. Started singing for theatre, he got opportunities in movies. He also got attracted to politics in those days. He also sang for Akashvani. Though he got opportunity to sing a Hindi song for Mehmood Khan, he returned back from Mumbai following the death of his 2-year old son. He had a live-in relationship with actress Santha Devi in the late 1940s and had one son in this relationship.
Published: N/A
Updated: March 12, 2016
