Malayalam poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri passes away at 94

Noted Malayalam poet and Jnanpith laureate Akkitham passed away at a private hospital in Kerala on Thursday. He was 94. Akkitham, who was admitted to hospital due to age related ailments, died at 8.10 am, hospital sources told news agency PTI.

Born in 1926 in Kerala’s Palakkad district, Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri, popularly known as Akkitham, penned his first poem when he was eight. He went on to become one of the most respected names in Malayalam poetry, winning several literary accolades, including the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1973. A Padma Shri awardee, Akkitham is also known for his critical essays, short stories and other literary works, which were translated into multiple languages.