Renowned Malayalam poet Akkitham, who won the 55th Jnanpith award in 2019, passed away on Thursday in Kerala. He was 94. Akkitham is also known for his critical essays and short stories, which have been translated into multiple languages. The 94-year-old passed away at a private hospital in Thrissur on Thursday. His mortal remains will be kept at the Sahitya Akademi in Thrissur for the public to pay their last respects.

Akkitham Achuthan Namboodiri was born in 1926 in Kerala’s Palakkad district. At the age of eight, he penned his first poem and went on to become one of the most respected poets in Kerala. Over the years, he has won several prestigious accolades, including the Sahitya Akademi award in 1973, Padma Shri award in 2017, and the Ezuthachan award. He has also won several other notable awards like Asan Prize, Vallathol award, Lalitambika Sahitya award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi award, Odakkuzhal award, Nalappad award, Ezhuthachan award and Moorti Devi Award.