<p>Renowned Malayalam poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri, who has been widely acknowledged as the one who introduced modern aspects to Malayalam literature, passed away on Thursday at Thrissur in Kerala. He was 94.</p>.<p>A recipient of Jnanpith, Padma Shri and many other prestigious honours, Akkitham, as he is popularly known, penned around 45 poems, starting from the age of eight. A line from the poem, 'Velicham Dukhamanunni, Thamasalo Sugapradham', (Light is sorrow, Darkness is happiness) became much popular usage in Malayalam owing to its in-depth meaning and simplicity. His poems received attention from the 1950s with the poem 'Irupetham Nootandinte Ithihasam' (20th century's epic).</p>.<p>A native of Palakkad district in central Kerala, Akkitham had also written many short stories and had also worked as a journalist with a couple of magazines and also served in All India Radio.</p>.<p>Akkitham, who received the Jananpith award of 2019, was conferred the award at his house on September 24 considering his I'll health. Reflecting his simplicity, Akkitham's reaction to the Jnanpith award was that many eminent personalities of Malayalam literature deserved the award than him. But he was fortunate to get the honour owing to his longevity. He also said that he did not have the opinion that all that he had written could be right. Errors might have been there.</p>.<p>Akkitham's funeral was performed at his residential premises in Pallakad district by evening with state honours. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other prominent persons condoled the death of the poet. His wife predeceased him.</p>
<p>Renowned Malayalam poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri, who has been widely acknowledged as the one who introduced modern aspects to Malayalam literature, passed away on Thursday at Thrissur in Kerala. He was 94.</p>.<p>A recipient of Jnanpith, Padma Shri and many other prestigious honours, Akkitham, as he is popularly known, penned around 45 poems, starting from the age of eight. A line from the poem, 'Velicham Dukhamanunni, Thamasalo Sugapradham', (Light is sorrow, Darkness is happiness) became much popular usage in Malayalam owing to its in-depth meaning and simplicity. His poems received attention from the 1950s with the poem 'Irupetham Nootandinte Ithihasam' (20th century's epic).</p>.<p>A native of Palakkad district in central Kerala, Akkitham had also written many short stories and had also worked as a journalist with a couple of magazines and also served in All India Radio.</p>.<p>Akkitham, who received the Jananpith award of 2019, was conferred the award at his house on September 24 considering his I'll health. Reflecting his simplicity, Akkitham's reaction to the Jnanpith award was that many eminent personalities of Malayalam literature deserved the award than him. But he was fortunate to get the honour owing to his longevity. He also said that he did not have the opinion that all that he had written could be right. Errors might have been there.</p>.<p>Akkitham's funeral was performed at his residential premises in Pallakad district by evening with state honours. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other prominent persons condoled the death of the poet. His wife predeceased him.</p>
