Alex Mathew

Mathew Mullasseril Alex (25 May 1959 – 23 June 2015), popularly known as Dr. M. M. Alex was an Indian actor and a Human Life Scientist.[2] He was known for starring in blockbuster Malayalam films, Rajavinte Makan (1986) and Thoovanathumbikal (1987)[3][4] A career actor turned scientist, Alex had produced more than 220 documentaries and digitisations on World Peace, Religion, Tourism, Health Systems and Human Rights. He was also the founder of Vedik India Society and The Institute of Ancient Integrative Therapies Research.[5] He also served as the jury member for the National Film Awards.[6]

Dr. M. M. Alex
Dr. Alex attending a function at Citi Centre Chennai
Born
Mathew Mullasseril Alex[1]

(1959-05-25)25 May 1959
Kottayam, Kerala, India
Died23 June 2015(2015-06-23) (aged 56)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Human Life Scientist
SpouseAnitha
Children2
Websitewww.drmmalex.com

Alex was honoured with the "Ambassador of Peace Award" by Universal Peace Federation and "Samskrita Mitra" award by the Government of India.[7] He was also the president of Samskrita Bharathi – Tamil Nadu.[8]

Dr. M. M. Alex died from a cardiac arrest on 23 June 2015, aged 56.

Early life

Dr. Alex was born in Kottayam, Kerala. He was the son of M. M. Alexander, a Health officer and Ammini Alex, a panchayat officer.[9] He grew up in Kottayam with his elder brother Shaji M Alex and younger sister Saji M Alex. He graduated from CMS College Kottayam, before starting his career as an actor.

Career

Early career
Alex as Babu in Thoovanathumbikal

Alex debuted in the Malayalam Blockbuster "Rajavinte Makan (1986)", as a student leader.[10] The film starred Mohan Lal and Suresh Gopi. It was directed by Thampi Kannanthanam. He continued to reprise the same role in its remake, Makkal En Pakkam (Tamil – 1987). His flair for playing a villain bagged him roles in more than 60 films. He was well noted for his role as "Babu" in the successful film, "Thoovanathumbikal (1987)" starring Mohan Lal and directed by Padmarajan.[11] His role as an antagonist gained him wide publicity.[12][13] He concluded his acting career with the Malayalam film "Parampara (1990)" directed by Sibi Malayil. Though it was at the peak of his acting career, Alex decided to quit and enter the field of science, research and spirituality.[14]

Science and research
Dr. Alex with Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam at a conference, IIT Madras.

Dr. M. M. Alex received an honorary doctorate in Indology and alternative medicine from the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.[15] He founded the Non- Profit Organisations Vedik-India Society (2000),[5] E-Ducatus Foundation, Institute of Ancient Integrative Therapies and Research[2] with his wife, Anitha Alex.[16] He travelled extensively and digitized India district wise to promote Indian culture around the world. He also developed a massive database on 250 common ailments and therapies from eastern disciplines like Ayurveda, Yoga, Mantra, Tantra, Sangeetha Sastra, Manas Ayurveda and Gandharva Veda.[17] He worked on merging modern and ancient medical therapies by creating a digital database on medical aspects of various alternative forms of treatment.

"When it comes to health and health care, we are ignorant. Self realisation about the ancient systems of healing and good living combined with contemporary medicines can help improve the quality of life."[18]

His work involved a comprehensive and integrated understanding of many systems and modules that operate in the fields of -[19]

  1. Western medical care and research (e.g. diagnostics, current pharmacological/surgical therapies and clinical discovery/trials methodology.
  2. Life sciences (biology, biochemistry and genetics).
  3. Traditional Indian medical therapies.
  4. Astrophysics and their impact on human biology.
  5. Current high-impact lifestyle/psychological/psycho-social/environmental issues (e.g. Aging, stress, sleep, circadian rhythms, infertility and electromagnetic field effects/nutrition from GM crops).

Tourism and religion

With the craft and credibility from the film industry, Alex produced more than 220 documentaries ranging from World religion, education, tourism, Health systems and many other titles. He continued to work on projects for the Tourism of Kerala and other states during the 1990s. His notable works include the documentaries A Vision and Mission to Tirupati,[20][21] 'Alphabet of life' and 'A Pilgrimage to Holy Sabarimala'.[22] It was one of the few documentaries screened in association with the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) festival. Alex conducted a global tour with the support of the Union Department of Tourism. He helped organise the Nishagandhi Dance Festival, Kerala in 1992.[23]

Culture

Apart from research and tourism, Alex was a propagator of the Sanskrit language. He was the president of Samskrita Bharati, Tamil Nadu (2005–2015).[24] The organisation aims to democratize and popularize Sanskrit language by encouraging the use of simple Sanskrit in everyday conversational texts. Alex was also the Head of Sanskrit Academies and Research Institutes for the World Samskrit Book fair.[25]

Alexonics
Dr.Alex giving a talk at TEDx Delhi

Dr. Alex had invented a unique custom made audio module called 'Alexonics'.[26] Each module is produced according to an individual's astrological profile resulting in a 93,312 file database. The repeated listening to its vibrations can enhance and regulate the physiological as well as the psychological self. He had worked on this project with Late. Dr. Solomon Victor, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, Dr. B.M. Hegde and Dr. Sandeep, over a span of 25 years. With the ambition to spread world peace, Alex disseminated 'Alexonics' to a few world leaders and world pioneers.[27] He was invited to deliver a talk on Alexonics for Ted.x at Delhi in 2010. The product will be available to the public soon.

Nakshatra paintings

Dr. Alex conceived a unique ideology to depict the 27 Nakshatras as the wives of the moon (Lord Chandra) in a set of 30 paintings, including those of the Sun god, Moon god and the Cosmic Serpent (Naga). The paintings are based on the Samhitas, Shastras, Vedas, Physics, Meta-physics, Astrophysics and Bio- physics. These are to be auctioned soon.

Events
  • He was the Judge for the Malayala Manorama's 3rd Annual Pookalam Festival along with his wife, Anitha Alex September 2005[28]
  • Chief guest of the World Sanskrit Day Function held in August 2008.[29]
  • Delivered a lecture on 'Good Health Today with Modern and Ancient Therapies' at the India Habitat Centre, May 2009[2]
  • Conducted a 28-day Agnihotra Yagna for World Peace in July 2009.[30]
  • Delivered a lecture on 'Impact of Triple Eclipses- Reality or Myth?' at the India Habitat Centre, Delhi. The event was organised by the Foundation of Peace, September 2009.[31]
  • Was invited as a speaker for TEDx.Delhi to talk on his custom made device "Alexonics" August 2010.[17]
  • Helped organise the World Samskrit Book Fair (Head of Sanskrit Academies and Research) in January 2011.[32]

Accolades

Death

Dr. Alex died in Chennai on 23 June 2015, following a cardiac arrest.[7][15][36] The Funeral was held at St.Paul's Orthodox Church at Kollad near Kottayam on 25 June.[37] He is survived by his wife Anitha Alex[38] and sons Dr. Alexander Mathew and Basil Mathew (Actor Tejas)[5][39]

Filmography (partial)

References
  1. "Actor M M Alex Passes Away". The New Indian Express. 24 June 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  2. "When ancient therapies meet modern medicine – Life Positive". Life Positive. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  3. "തൂവാനത്തുമ്പികൾ കണ്ടവർ മറക്കില്ല അലക്സ് മാത്യുവിനെ". Mathrubhumi. 24 June 2015. Archived from the original on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  4. "Actor Alex Passed Away | Thoovanathumbikal movie actor". VINODAMELAM. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  5. "Actor M M Alex Passes Away". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  6. "Prakash Jha to head National Awards' jury". timesofindia-economictimes. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  7. "'Thoovanathumbikal' Actor Alex Mathew aka Dr MM Alex Passes Away". International Business Times, India Edition. 23 June 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  8. "alex | Search Results | संस्कृतभारती Samskrita Bharati India". samskritabharati.in. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  9. "Mullasseril | Mullasseril Kudumbayogam Kollad". mullasserilkudumbayogamkollad.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  10. "Actor Alex Mathew dead". kaumudiglobal.com. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  11. "Imprints on Indian Film Screen: M.M.Alex Mathew". imprintsonindianfilmscreen.blogspot.in. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  12. "Alex Mathew as Babu in Thoovanathumbikal (1987)". YouTube.
  13. "Alex with Mohan Lal as Babu, Thoovanathumbikal". YouTube.
  14. "Mathrubhumi Interviews Dr.M.M. Alex". mathrubhuminews.in. Archived from the original on 4 January 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  15. "'Thoovanathumbikal' Actor Alex Mathew aka Dr MM Alex Passes Away". www.ukmalayalee.com. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  16. "Anitha Alex | Assistant Director | Maiya". maiya-themovie.com. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  17. "TEDxDelhi | TED.com". www.ted.com. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  18. "An alternative route to good health". The Hindu. 17 March 2009. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  19. "Dr. M. M. Alex | Mediander | Connects". Mediander. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  20. "Profiles of Murukan Conference Participants: First International Conference on Skanda-Murukan". murugan.org. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  21. M.M, Alex. "drmmalex". Archived from the original on 23 December 2015.
  22. "Filmmaker with a divine mission". The Hindu. 20 October 2003. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  23. "Nishagandhi Dance and Music Festival 2015". www.keralatourism.org. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  24. "Samskrita Bharati's answer to Discrimination against Sanskrit in TN". Haindava Keralam. 19 June 2007. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  25. "National Advisory Board @ World Samskrit Book Fair विश्व संस्कृत पुस्तक मेला". www.samskritbookfair.org. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  26. "Dr.M.M. Alex at TED.x Delhi". TED.xDelhi.
  27. "TEDxDelhi MM Alex Alexonics". autoutline.ru. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  28. "Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Coming out with their creative best for Onam". The Hindu. 10 September 2005. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  29. "Aum: Dr M. M. Alex". blog.bhadesia.com. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  30. "The triple eclipse and you". www.newindianexpress.com. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  31. "FGG Events". fggprogrammes.blogspot.in. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  32. "02 World Samskrit book Fair". Issuu. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  33. "PIB Press Releases". pib.nic.in. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  34. "Notes For – 58th National Film Awards – Notesok.In – Student – Study – School – Notes – Free". notesok.in. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  35. "TEDxDelhi – MM Alex – Alexonics". www.up-date-me.com. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  36. "Malayalam actor Alex Mathew died – Thoovanathumbikal, Babu". www.topmovierankings.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  37. "Dr.M.M. Alex Funeral at Kollad". Youtube.
  38. "Sign Up | LinkedIn". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  39. "A Venkatesh to direct a youth Tamil movie". IBNLive. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
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