Jnanpith awardee poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri passes away at 94

THRISSUR (KER): Renowned Malayalam poet and Jnanpith laureate Mahakavi Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri died at a private hospital here on Thursday, family sources said.

He was 94.

Akkitham, who was admitted to hospital due to age related ailments, died at 8.10 am, hospital sources said.

Recently, he was conferred with the Jnanpith award, the highest literary award in the country, at a special function held at his house at Kumaranallur in Palakkad district.

The poet, who was instrumental in heralding modernism in Malayalam poetry, was also a true Gandhian, social reformer, journalist and an example of simplicity.