Bigul Malayi receives the Yoast Care fund for his contribution to the WordPress community

Meet Bigul Malayi, a valued member of the WordPress Community Team! His commitment and valuable contributions to the community are why Harmony Romo nominated him for the Yoast Care fund. Let’s learn more about this passionate WordPress enthusiast.

Nominator Harmony Romo: ” I am nominating Bigul for the grant because he is an invaluable asset to the WordPress community. He has consistently demonstrated dedication by actively contributing to local events in his native Kerala and by leading initiatives to expand the photo directory. Despite recently losing his job, his commitment remains unwavering. His passion and efforts truly deserve this support.“

Let’s get to know Bigul Malayi

That’s quite an introduction, Harmony! We would love to get to know Bigul even better. That’s why we asked him some questions about his work and his passion for WordPress:

Hi, Bigul! How did you first discover WordPress, and why did you start contributing?

I began my IT journey in 2003 after my graduation as a Database Operator and gradually found my passion in web development. After working with several technologies like Microsoft’s C#.NET & VB.NET, Drupal, Joomla, and TYPO3, I discovered WordPress in 2007 through a small client project. What started as a simple customization soon grew into a deep interest, and by 2009, I was working exclusively with WordPress, building custom themes and plugins that shaped my career.

My first contribution to WordPress was in WordPress support forums around 2010, but it was in the name of my employer. 2012 WordCamp Mumbai was a turning point in my life. I met many WordPress enthusiasts in person for the first time. It helped me to know more about the WordPress ecosystem. Since then, I became an active member of the WordPress Community, started contributing to Polyglots, and organized WordPress events in Kerala. For the past three years, I have also been part of the WordPress Photos Directory team.

What excites you most about WordPress?

For me, WordPress is more than software; it is a living ecosystem that welcomes people from every background and passion. The words “Code is Poetry” are not just a slogan; they are a reminder that technology can be creative, meaningful, and human.

What excites me most about WordPress is the freedom it gives, the freedom to create, to express, and to be seen. I have witnessed how it empowers small businesses, strengthens communities, and even transforms lives by opening new doors of opportunity. The spirit of learning, sharing, contributing, and supporting one another has shaped not only my journey but also who I am today.

What’s one WordPress-related goal you have for this year?

My first priority this year is organizing WordCamp Asia in Mumbai, India, where I’m serving as the co-lead of the Attendee Experience team. Alongside that, we are planning to organize more WordPress meetups and a couple of next-generation events in Kerala, India to strengthen and grow the local community.

I have contributed over 3,100 photos to the WordPress Photo Directory on Openverse.org and hope to add a few hundred more in the coming months. I also plan to actively contribute to the WordPress Testing team. 

Additionally, we have completed 93% of the translation of the latest WordPress version into Malayalam (my mother tongue), and aim to finish it soon, along with translations of several leading themes.

What advice would you give to someone just starting with WordPress?

One of the best things about WordPress is that it is well-documented, including its core features. If you are starting with WordPress, just begin. Learn by trying, experimenting, and even making mistakes; that is how confidence grows. There are plenty of tutorials and YouTube videos to guide you.

Most importantly, don’t feel alone. The WordPress community is always there to support you. It changed my journey forever. Join WordPress meetups, attend WordCamps, ask questions, and connect with others. Every small piece of code you write, or every feature you test, makes you better than yesterday.

What’s your favorite WordPress memory or something you’re most proud of?

For the past 15 years, WordPress has been more than my bread and butter; it has been my journey, my classroom, and my community. So it holds some of my most cherished memories. 

From my first WordCamp in Mumbai (2012) to organizing our first Meetup in Kochi (2014), from our first Translation Day to our first WordCamp in 2017, each milestone shaped who I am today. Walking into my first flagship WordCamp, WordCamp Europe 2015, then meeting the WordPress founders in person, and later becoming a delegate at two WordPress Community Summits, these were not just events, but life-defining moments.

WordPress didn’t just give me a career. It gave me purpose, people, and memories that will stay with me forever. 

Thanks a lot, WordPress, for changing my life. Jai WordPress 

Thank you for this interview, Bigul, and for all of your contributions to the WordPress community! Do you know someone like Bigul Malayi who also deserves to be in the spotlight? Go to our Yoast Care page and nominate them right away.