KOTTAYAM: Well-known Malayalam poet Narayanan Nair popularly known as Pala Narayanan Nair died at a private hospital near here on Wednesday due to old age, family sources said.

He was 97 and is survived by wife, two sons and two daughters.

Nair, who had contributed maximum number of poems to Malayalam literature, developed uneasiness last night and wasrushed to hospital where he died around 11 am, the sources said.

Among his numerous poems, 'Amritakala' was a masterpiece. and "Keralam Valarunnu" was another outstanding poem.

The laurels he received included Vallathol Puraskar (1991), Fokana Kerala Ganam Award (1992), Ulloor Award (1999), Ezhuthachchan puraskar (2000) and Mathrubhoomi Puraskar (2002).

The body will be cremated on Thursday.