Kottayam : Prominent Dalit writer and thinker KK Kochu died on Thursday. He was 76.
The author of the first autobiography of a Dalit in Malayalam breathed his last at the Medical College Hospital in Kottayam after a battle with cancer.
The autobiography `Dalithan’ alongside shedding light into the marginalized lives of Dalits in Kerala, offered insight into caste politics prevailing in Kerala.
Kochu, who had been at the forefront of Dalit activism, authored several books and essays in Malayalam on politics, subaltern studies, literature, films and gender.
In 2020, he received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Overall Contributions.
Born in 1949 in a Pulaya family at Kallara in Kottayam district, Kochu completed school education at the NSS High School in Kallara, before graduating from Maharaja’s College in Ernakulam.
He authored books including Kalaapavum Samskaaravum, Budhdhanilekkulla Dooram, Ambedkar, Jeevithavum Dauthyavum, Idathupaksham Illatha Kaalam, Dalit Nerkazchakal, Kerala Charitravum Samooha Roopeekaranavum and Deshiyathaykkoru Charitrapadama.
Kochu worked with the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) from 1977 to 2001.
Kochu was at the forefront of floating activist outfits in Kerala such as Communist Youth Forum, the People’s Workers’ Union, and the Human Rights’ Committee.