Kozhikode | Veteran Mappilappattu artiste, music composer and tabalist Kozhikode Abubacker died at his residence near Areekkadu here in the early hours of Tuesday, family sources said.

He was 80.

Abubacker, who had been undergoing treatment after suffering a stroke for nearly two months, had contributed more than 3,000 songs to the Mappilappattu genre.

Known for his distinctive melodies, he also worked as a tabla artiste. He began his decades-long musical career with the troupe of renowned composer M S Baburaj.

He later worked as a tabla player with legendary music directors G Devarajan and Ravi Bombay.

Among his popular compositions were "Karayaanum Parayaanum Manam Thurannirikkanum", sung by K J Yesudas, and "Yatheeminathaanee", rendered by K S Chithra.

Singers including Sujatha Mohan, M G Sreekumar, Afsal and Shahabaz Aman have also sung under his musical direction.

He is survived by his wife and children.