Mukkam reinvents its Moideen

Kozhikode: Mukkam, a tiny town near Kozhikode, has suddenly been catapulted into fame. Thanks to ‘Ennu Ninte Moideen’, a film based on the Moideen-Kanchanamala love affair.

With memorials, programmes and discussions forums, all in the name of Moideen and Kanchanamala, film buffs and lovers have started exploring the roots of the love affair. Kanchanamala, the heroin, has attained the status of a living icon of love and Mukkam is fast becoming a pilgrimage centre for lovers.

Apart from the memorial column built in the name of Moideen, many more memorials are in the offing after the film proved a box office hit. The memorial committee has instituted a bravery award in the name of Moideen who died after saving many lives in a boat tragedy in 1982. Tourism Minister A.P. Anilkumar inaugurated a memorial with library and cultural centre at Kodiyathur near Mukkam on Saturday.

“We are also planning to either revive the existing institution in the name of Moideen as it is not in a good shape at this point due to prolonged legal battles or establish a new one, a befitting memorial for the love story,” said Mr N. Surendranath, Mukkam panchayat president. “Discussions are on to prepare an action plan which would be announced in the reception to be accorded to the Ennu Ninte Moideen team soon,” he added.

Recently, noted writer Hameed Chendamangallur was prevented from participating in a function in Mukkam by a group of youngsters for his opinion during an interview in a news channel that the love affair was ‘not eternal.’

However, film director R.S. Vimal is happy that his film has created a new trend and rekindled interest among the youngsters over the love affair of Moideen and Kanchanamala.