Kozhikode: Renowned Mappilapattu singer and songwriter V M Kutty passed away on Wednesday morning at a private hospital here. He was 86. Kutty was under treatment for heart-related ailments.

Kutty popularised Mappilapattu and played a huge role in bringing it to the mainstream from the marriage functions. It gave the art form a position in the cultural space of the state. He was the first singer to perform Mappilapattu on a public stage. The performance was in 1972 at a conference of Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad in Kasaragod. He made a musical ensemble exclusively for Mappilapattu, again a first in the state.

Born on April 16, 1935 at Pulikkal in Malappuram district, Kutty worked as a teacher till 1985. He then resigned from the job and dedicated his life to Mappilapattu. He has performed in numerous stages in Kerala and abroad. He has also performed in front of the late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi during his visit to Kavaratti.

Kutty experimented with the art form. He rendered voice and has written lyrics for over 1000 songs. 'Mappilapattinte Lokam', 'Basheer Mala', 'Bhakthigeethangal', 'Kuruthikunju' are some of his books.

Kutty is winner of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi award. He was also a member of the Akademi. He has served as the secretary to the Institute of Mappila Studies.