Thiruvananthapuram: Malayalam literature became a lot poorer Wednesday morning after poet Sugathakumari, 86, breathed her last.
The renowned poet was receiving treatment for COVID-19 at Thiruvananthapuram medical college hospital after developing breathing difficulties from bronchopneumonia. Earlier a hospital bulletin had described her condition as critical.
Born in Aranmula on 3 January 1934 to freedom fighter Bodheswaran and mother Karthyayani, a Sanskrit teacher, Sugathakumari's poems struck chords with generations of readers.
She was married to Dr K Velayudhan Nair and they had a daughter named Lakshmi.
Sugathakumari received top honours like Padma Shri, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award.
Several other accolades came to her including Odakkuzhal Award, Vayalar Award, Vallathol Award, Ezhuthachan Award, Asan Prize, Saraswati Samman, Thoppil Bhasi award.
She began her career as a young poetry hopeful in 1957, over the years writing some of the most admired works.
Some of the highlights from her long career include 'Mutthuchippi', 'Pathirappookkal', 'Paavam Pavam Manava Hrudayam', 'Pranamam', 'Irul Chirakukal', 'Raathrimazha', 'Ambalamani', 'Kurinjippookkal', 'Thulaavarshappacha', 'Radhayevide', 'Devadasi', 'Manalezhuthu'.
Her love for nature saw her falling with vigour to several environmental activities, and leading the nationally noted " Save Silent Valley" movement.
Translating ideas into action, quite an impossible fiefdom for most writers, she became the founding secretary to the outfit "Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi".
She was the chairperson of the Kerala State Women's Commission.