'Mosqueman' G Gopalakrishnan, architect of famous Kerala mosques, passes away at 90

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prominent architect G. Gopalakrishnan, known for designing several major mosques in Kerala, passed away at the age of 90 on Wednesday. A resident of Alumkandathu House in Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram, he was popularly known as 'Mosqueman' for his work on numerous mosques. Gopalakrishnan died around noon while undergoing treatment for age-related ailments. His funeral will be held at 12.30 pm on Thursday at Thycaud Saanthi Kavadam in Thiruvananthapuram.

In 1961, Gopalakrishnan joined his father Govindan, a building contractor, in renovating the old tiled-roof Palayam Mosque. He later went on to design several prominent mosques, including Beemapally, Kaduvapally and Alamcode Mosque. The mosque at Karunagappally, built in the style of the Taj Mahal, and the Erumeli Juma Masjid in Sabarimala are among his other notable works.

The 100th mosque built under his leadership was the Kottangal Jamaath Mosque in Kottayam district. He also designed the Vavar Mosque at Erumeli in a way that could accommodate both Ayyappa devotees arriving for the Petta Thullal ritual and worshippers coming to offer prayers.

Apart from mosques, Gopalakrishnan also designed churches and temples. The St George Orthodox Church at Chandanapally was designed in the shape of St Peter's Basilica in Rome. The Aalumkandam Bhadrakali Temple, the first of the two temples he designed, was built in the shape of a chariot. Gopalakrishnan received several honours for his contributions as an architect of mosques.

He is survived by his wife, Jaya; children Govind Junior G, Sreeni G Govind and Neeni G Govind; and in-laws Lakshmi, an architect, Aneesha, an assistant engineer with KSEB, and Sajina of Mother's Veg Plaza, Thiruvananthapuram. He is survived by his wife, Jaya; children Govind Junior G, Sreeni G Govind and Neeni G Govind.