Holy Angels School held a condolence meeting in memory of veteran organiser Ramesh Iyer, who passed away on Friday at his hometown, Palakkad. He was 58. Ramesh reportedly collapsed while returning home.
Once a vibrant presence in Mumbai’s socio-cultural arena, Ramesh Iyer was remembered as a dynamic organiser who brought the Malayali community together through grand cultural initiatives.
“The cultural world has lost a great organiser who stood at the forefront of staging mega shows that were once thought impossible for the Malayali community,” said Dr. Oommen David, who hosted the memorial gathering at Holy Angels School.
Many prominent Malayalees closely associated with Ramesh attended the meeting.
A former resident of Dombivli before relocating to Kalpathi in Palakkad, Ramesh made a lasting mark in Mumbai by conceptualising and organising landmark events such as Mumbai Pooram and the Mega Kaikottikali at the KDMC Ground in 2003, 2011, and 2012.
In November 2012, the Mega Kaikottikali — featuring 2,639 women — earned a place in the Guinness World Records. Organised as part of Mumbai Pooram under Ramesh’s leadership, the event became a symbol of Kerala’s cultural unity and a proud milestone for expatriate Malayalis. The historic dance performance remains etched in memory as a celebration of collective identity and cultural pride.
Ramesh also brought legendary artists such as K. J. Yesudas and P. Jayachandran onto the same stage with their children, and organised star-studded events featuring Suresh Gopi and Shobana, among others. He further curated musical programmes with celebrated playback singers like M. G. Sreekumar and K. S. Chithra.
His journey in Mumbai’s cultural sphere began with Ragasudha, a cultural organisation formed by young enthusiasts from the Dombivli–Kalyan region. Under its banner, several acclaimed programmes were conducted.
Even after leaving Mumbai, Ramesh remained active in social initiatives. He dedicated himself to improving children’s handwriting through a training programme titled Right Writing, conducted across various schools in Kerala.
“Ramesh Iyer’s life stands as a testament to cultural vision, organisational brilliance, and enduring commitment to community service,” Dr. Oommen said.