Human life is made up of laughter and tears. It may fluctuate depending on circumstances and destiny. No one can foresee or know to what extent the joys and sorrows will be experienced in life.

It is easy to laugh, but hard to make others laugh. Whereas for those who are born with comedy and acting style, it will be an easy task. Actor Mamukkoya, who passed away yesterday, belongs to that category. Mamukkoya, who has given birth to hundreds of characters in drama and cinema for four decades, has left his mark as an actor in both laughter and tears.

Mamukkoya had memorized the humor of Beypore Sultan, the charm of the Kozhikode dialect, and the expressions of the various characters he had seen and interacted with around him when he was associated with theater activities as a student itself. Many people who find the gold of laughter later in life would have burned in the furnace in the first decades. Charlie Chaplin, the world emperor of laughter was like that. Mamukkoya lost his parents at a young age and grew up under the care of his elder brother. In real life, he had to play many roles, one of which was the job of measuring wood in Kallayi. Tasks like numbering the tree, and looking at the pulp and core must have helped him to understand the human mind and life. The association with theater giants KT Muhammed and Thikkodiyan further polished the actor in Mamukkoya.

Mamukkoya debuted in Anyarude Bhoomi directed by Nilambur Balan and got a role in Surumaitta Kannukal directed by S Konnanatt on the recommendation of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. The character in Snehamulla Simham directed by Sajan, starring Mammootty was a turning point. Later, Mamukkoya was approached by characters that made people laugh and cry since then.

When Mamukkoya presented the characters we didn't notice and seemed insignificant amid the crowd, we noticed them and loved them. Many of those characters entered the minds of the Malayalis as well. Sathyan Anthikad, Priyadarshan, and Srinivasan are the ones who made the most of the acting in Mamukkoya.

Gafurka in Nadodikkattu, KG Pothuval in Sandesham, Hamsakoya in Ramji Rao Speaking, Kunjananthan mesthiri in Thalayana Manthram, broker in Manasinakkara, Abdu in Perumazhakalam, Umar in Ustad Hotel and Moosa Khalid in Kuruti became the characters that made a mark in our minds. The characters in Gandhinagar Second Street and Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam are also ones that only Mamukkoya can bring to life.

Apart from being an actor, Mamukkoya also shined as a sports enthusiast, philanthropist, and charity worker. It was when he came for the inauguration of the sevens football tournament in Kalikavu, that Mamukkoya fell ill and was admitted to a hospital. The great actor is leaving the theater of life while Sulaikha Manzil, starring Mamukkoya and directed by Ashraf Hamza, is still running.

Comedians and supporting actors do not get enough recognition and awards, no matter how many characters they put their soul and mind into, but they will always have a great place in the hearts of the common audience. This departure of Mamukkoya, which follows the decline of natural acting star Innocent, is yet another heavy loss for Malayalam.

Apart from Malayalam, he also acted in many Tamil films and they are Arangetra Velai, Kasu, and Cobra. He received a Special Jury Mention at the Kerala State Film Awards in 2004 for his role as Abdu in Perumazhakalam. He also won the Best Comedian Award for his performance in Innathe Chintha Vishayam.

Mamukkoya had to overcome many hardships and illnesses later on just as in the early stages of his life. Due to chest pain which happened at a shooting location, he had to undergo angioplasty, and two stents were placed. The threat of cancer came at a time when he was shining on the screen as Musa Khalid in Kuruti. He underwent 33 radiations and six chemotherapies. Mamukkoya was able to survive it all because of the strength of his experiences and the resilience of his spirit. His attitude of let's take it as it comes and his faith is what guided him in times of crisis. The experience of working in dramas earlier helped Mamukkoya to give strength and vigor to characters in films later. Malabar Muslim style of dialogue delivery and distinct acting made his characters shine. He tried to make the character natural regardless of its importance or influence. The actor managed to make even the roles in his earlier movies which were just glimpses on screen, memorable.

Actor Mamukoya's comedy was full of silent laughter. Along with family members and fans, we also pay tribute to the passing away of that great talent who gave Malayalam countless characters to remember, laugh and sigh forever.