Punathil Kunjabdulla, award-winning Malayalam writer, dies at 77

Punathil Kunjabdulla was considered a modernist in Malayalam literature and won many awards for his novels. (Source: K Surendran‏/Twitter)

Award-winning Malayalam writer Punathil Kunjabdulla died of age-related ailments in a Kozhikode hospital on Friday. He was 77. A doctor by profession, Kunjabdulla was considered a modernist in Malayalam literature. Some of his major works include Marunnu, Kanyavanangal, Kathi and Aligarh Kathakal and more.

Born in Badagara in Kozhikode district, Kunjabdulla completed his graduation from Government Brennen College, Thalassery and obtained his MBBS degree from Aligarh Muslim University. Later, he ran his own hospital in Vatakara. Popularly called “Kunjikka”, Kunjabdulla was ailing for a year and breathed his last at 7.45 a.m.  In 1980, his novel Smarakasilakal (Memorial Stones) won the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award (Malayalam). He was also awarded the Kerala Sahithya Academy Award twice.

A strong willed personality, Kunjabdulla surprised many when he contested the 2001 assembly election from the Beypore assembly constituency on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket and finished third by bagging over 10,000 votes. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has condoled his death. His funeral will be held in the evening.

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With input from IANS.