Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri was honoured with 55th Jnanpith Award three weeks back
Three weeks after eminent Malayalam poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri was conferred with the 55th Jnanpith award, the hugely popular writer often referred to as Akkitham, passed away at a hospital in Thrissur on Thursday morning, said family sources.
He was unwell for a few days and was undergoing treatment for age-related ailments. He breathed his last around 8.10 a.m.
The funeral will be held according to the Covid protocols and will take place at his hometown in Patambi in Palakkad district, later in the day.
The 93-year-old literary icon was given the Jnanpith at his residence `Devayanam` by Kerala Culture Minister A.K. Balan on September 24.
Former Union Minister Dr Subhash Bhamre took to social media and expressed his condolences on the demise of the legend. "Deeply saddened to hear about the sad demise of Jnanpith recipient, social reformer, a writer and an ardent follower of Gandhi Ji, Shri. Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri. My sincere condolences to his family and friends," he wrote.
Dr Shashi Tharoor, MP for Thiruvananthapuram, also remembered the poet and wrote on social media, "On September 24, the legendary Malayalam poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri was presented the Jnanpith Award at home since he was too unwell to collect it personally. Three weeks later, the great writer has passed away. His words live on. Om shanti!"
Seated in an armchair at his home, Akkitham received the award and became the sixth Keralite to be conferred with the prestigious literary award. He had won many awards including Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards and Ezhuthachan Puraskaram. He was honoured with Padmashri in 2017.
Akkitham`s work include 'Irupatham Noottantinte Ithihasam', 'Balidarashanam' and 'Dharma Sooryan' among over 45 works of poems, plays and short stories.
Namboothiri, born in Palakkad, is a poet known for his lucid style and has penned many essays.
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