Akkitam Achuthan Namboodri Kerala’s Great Poet Dies

Akkitam Achuthan Namboodri Kerala’s great poet dies three weeks after receiving the Jnanpith award. Mahakavi Akkitam Achuthan Namboodri, a Malayalam noted poet and conferred with the Jnanpith Award, died in a private hospital in Thrissur. He was 94.

Hospital sources said Akkitam, who was suffering from age-related ailments, was admitted to the hospital. He breathed his last at 8:10 am Thursday. He will be cremated as per Covid protocol in his home town of Patambi in Palakkad. Governor Arif Muhammad Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan have mourned his death.

About three weeks ago, he was awarded Jnanpith, the country’s largest literary honor. The honor was conferred on him on September 24 by Kerala Culture Minister AK Balan in a special ceremony held at his residence at Kumaranallur in Palakkad district.

He wrote 55 books, 45 of which are collections of poetry. Akkitam, who has been honored with the Padma Award, has also been awarded the Sahitya Academy Award, the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award, the Motherland Award, the Vayalar Award and the Kabir Award.

Social reformer and simplicity are considered examples

Akkitam, the pioneer of modernism in Malayalam poetry, is the sixth litterateur from Kerala to receive this prestigious honor. Born on 18 March 1926 in a traditionalist Namboodari family, the poet is considered a Gandhian, social reformer, journalist and an example of simplicity. His wife Sridevi died last year.

Irupadam Nutanidee Etihasam is the most famous poem

The most famous poetic book by Akkitam Achuthan Namboodari is ‘Erupadam Nutanidee Itihsam’, which is extremely popular among readers. Some of his famous books are Khand Kavya, Katha Kavya, Charitra Kavya and Geet.

Some of his noted compositions include Veeravadam, Baladarshanam, Nimisha Kshetram, Amrita Khatika, Akchitam Kavitatakka, Epic of Twentieth Century and Antikalem.

Significantly, he has also been awarded Sahitya Akademi Award in 1973, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1972 and Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1988 and Kabir Samman.