Akkitham | Malayalam poet Akkitham dies at 94

Malayalam poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboodiri, widely known as Akkitham, died on Thursday morning, Matrabhumi reported. He was 94 years old. The poet was undergoing treatment for age-related ailments at a private hospital in Kerala’s Thrissur city. Akkitham was from Kerala’s Palakkad district. The poet was regarded as the proponent of modernism in Malayalam poetry, with more than 43 literary works to his name. Irupatham Noottandinte Ithihasam, or the legend of 20th century, is one of his iconic works. In November, Akkitham was declared the recipient of the 55th Jnanpith Award, the country’s highest literary honour. He was given the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award, in 2017. The poet had also received several other awards, including the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award in 1971, the Sahitya Academy Award in 1973, and the Vayalar Award in 2012. Akkitham had worked as a journalist in several magazines. He is also known for his advocacy against social evils that are said to be prevalent in the Nampoothiri (Brahmin) community. Thrissur: Renowned Malayalam poet and Jnanpith laureate Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri passed away on Thursday morning. He was 94. Akkitham was undergoing treatment in private hospital in Thrissur for age related ailments for the past few days. The death was declared at 8.10 am. Akkitham was born to Vasudevan Namboothiri and Parvathy Antharjanam on March 18, 1926 at Amettu Akkithathu Mana in Kumaranellur of Palakkad. He was taught Sanskrit, music and astrology at a very young age. He published the magazine 'Unni Namboothiri' for 3 years from 1946 and later became assistant editor of 'Mangalodayam' and 'Yogakshemam'. He also worked as script writer for Akashavani Kozhikode station since 1956 and became editor at the Thrissur station in 1975. He retired in 1985. Akkitham was married to Sreedevi Antharjanam who died in 2019. He is survived by son Narayanan and daughter Sreeja. Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri who is popularly known as Akkitham has penned over 46 works in Malayalam. ‘Irupatham Nootandinte Ithihasam’ is his major work. Nimisha Kshethram, Upanayanam, Samavarthanam, Bhagavatham, Balidarshanam, Vennakkallinte Katha, Manasakshiyude Pookkal, Panchavarnakkili, Arangettam, Madhuvidhu, Oru Kula Munthiringa, Idinju Polinja Lokam, Amrithagadhika, Manasapooja and Karathalamalakam are his other noted works. Akkitham is the 6th Malayalam writer who bagged the Jnanpith Award. He received the honour in a small ceremony held adhering to COVID protocol a few days ago. Earlier, he was honoured with Padma Sri, the fourth highest civilian award of the Government of India in 2017. He also won a number of awards including Kendra and Kerala Sahithya Akademi awards, Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, Odakkuzhal Award, Asan Smaraka Kavitha Puraskaram, Sanjayan Award, Padmaprabha Literary Award, Mathrubhumi Literary Award, Lalithambika Antharjanam Smaraka Sahitya Award, Vallathol Award, Vayalar Award, Puthoor Award, Krishna Geedhi Award, Nalappad Award, Puthezhan Award among others.