CHENNAI, Jan 17: Author, broadcaster and Isai Perarignar M P Somu passed away on January 15 after a brief illness at his residence in Anna Nagar. He was 79. He is survived by his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. A close associate of C Rajagopalachari, Somu had won the Sahitya Akademi award for his travelogue `Akkarai Cheemaiyile'.