Philadelphia, Nov 4
Dr. Nelliat Curundadath Shyamalan (88), a renowned cardiologist and father of acclaimed Hollywood director Manoj Night Shyamalan, passed away in the United States on November 4, 2025. A native of Mahe, his ancestral roots trace back to Kannur, Kerala.

Dr. Shyamalan, also known as Nelliat C. Shyamalan, had a distinguished medical career in Philadelphia, where he served for decades as a respected cardiologist. Beyond medicine, he pursued a deep personal interest in tracing the ancestry of the Thiyya community of North Malabar, to which his family belongs. Based on extensive DNA studies, he proposed a theory suggesting that the Thiyyas have Indo-Aryan origins, migrating from Central Asia — particularly from the region corresponding to modern-day Kyrgyzstan — through Pakistan and Rajasthan, before settling in North Malabar, Coorg, and the Nilgiris.

He also held a cameo producer credit in his son’s debut film Praying with Anger (1992).

Dr. Shyamalan was the son of the late Krishnan and Panangatt Curundadath Mythili of Kannur. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Jaya Lakshmi (USA), daughter Veena Loftus (USA), and siblings Venugopal (Chennai) and Daya Jayaram (Calicut). His brothers Gangadharan, Sadhanandhan, and Raveendran predeceased him.

The funeral will be held on November 7, 2025, in the United States.