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States » SouthPosted at: Oct 15 2020 4:58PM


A sad day for God's own country

Thiruvanathapuram, Oct 15 (UNI) Renowned litterateur, Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri, the renowned poet of simplicity in Malayalam, passed away on Thursday, due to old-age related ailments at a private hospital in Thrissur.
The 94-year-old is survived by his son and a daughter.
In 2019, Akkitham's wife predeceased him.
The literary genius of Malayalam, known as 'Akkitham,' was hospitalised last week.
Known for simple and lucid writing, the poet and essayist was honoured in 2019, with the nation’s highest literary honour, the Jnanpith award at a simple function held at his house in Kumaranalloor near Palakkad on September 24th.
Akkitham’s literary works date back to 1950 and over the years, cemented his standing as an accomplished author.
He was honoured with the ''Ezhuthachan'' award, the highest literary award by Kerala Government and was honoured with the “Padma Shri” by the Government of India.
''Kerala Sahitya Akademi'', ''Odakkuzhal'', ''Vallatho'' and ''Aasaan,'' besides numerous other honours, also came his way.
Born to Akkitham Vasudevan Namboodiri and Chekkor Parvathy Antharjanam on March 18, 1926, Akkitham belonged to the Amettoor Akkithath Mana (now “devayanam”) in Kumaranalloor of Palakkad district in Kerala.
Akkitham had his early education in Kumaranalloor high school and did his Intermediate at Zamorins Guruvayurappan college in Kozhikode.
He studied Rigveda, Sanskrit and Jyothisham and in 1949, married Sreedevi Antharjanam of Alampilli Mana.
The couple had two sons and four daughters. However, one son and three daughters are no more and Akkitham is survived now by his son and a daughter.
The making
'Akkitham' started his career as a journalist by working for “Unni Nambudhiri”, a magazine by Namboodiri organisation. He then worked for two others, “Mangalodayam” and “Yogashemam”.
In 1965, he joined All India Radio as a `script writer’ and worked till 1975 in Kozhikode AIR station.
He then moved to AIR station in Thrissur and worked as Editor of “Vayalaum Veedum” programme and retired from service there.
Stepping into the world of literature in his 20’s, Akkitham’s literary work gained attention after he bagged the `Sanjayan' award in 1952 for his poem, “Irupatham Noottandinte Ithihasam”.
In 1973, his poetic work, “Balidarsanam” fetched him the 'Kendra Sahithya Akademi' award. In recognition of his literary contribution to the Malayalam literature, he was bestowed the prestigious 'Vayalar' award. His translation of Srimad Bhagavatham, of 14,613 verses running into 2,400 printed pages, is considered one of his valued works.
A social activist of repute, 'Akkitham' was instrumental in bringing in reforms in the orthodox Namboodiri community.
Demonstrating his unwavering struggle against untouchability which dominated the upper class of Kerala, Akkitham participated in 1947 in the “Palaiyam Sathyagraha” . As an active member of the Yogakshema Sabha, the veteran poet took active role in setting up Vedic Study Centres.
In all, Akkitham published 45 works, which include 32 collections of poems, one short story, one collection of essays, 7 translations and 4 lists of books.
The renowned Malayallee poet had visited the UK, USA, Canada and France for attending literary seminars and “kavisammelanams”.
Another titan goes
Noted broadcaster Raveendran Chennilode passed away due to liver related ailments at a private hospital here on Thursday.
He was 68 and is survived by his wife and a daughter.
Chennilode, who joined AIR as a staff artiste in 1979, had received many accolades, including six National awards, for various radio documentaries.
For the thousands of radio listeners in Kerala, he was a familiar face for the programme ‘Malayala Cinema Flashback’, a mega radio serial documentary which narrated the birth and progress of Malayalam cinema.
As also a poet and lyricist, he shared an equal passion for orchids. He was the Indian representative at the International Orchid Shows held in Malaysia and China in 2009 and 2010 respectively.
Born to G Nanu Achary, a freedom fighter, who joined Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army, and Thankamma, whose family Vayalil Veedu at Nanthencode here was a meeting place of early Communist leaders, his passion for orchids started in the late 1980s.
He was later guided by Dr J Joseph, who was then the Joint Director of Botanical Survey of India.
UNI RP1655
Tags: #A sad day for God's own country
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