Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri

Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri was a social worker, poet and essayist born on 18th march 1926 in Amettikara near Kumaranellur, Palakkad in Kerala. His parents are Amettu Akkithathu Manayil Vasudevan Namboothiri and Checkur Manaykkal Parvathy Antharjanam. Akkitham Narayanan, a popular painter, is his brother. While at school, Akkitham Achuthan learned music, Sanskrit and astrology. After completing his higher secondary classes, he joined a college but didn’t complete his graduation course. His interest in writing made him join Unni Namboothiri magazine as an editor. Akkitham also worked in Mangalodayam and Yogakshemam magazines as an assistant editor. In 1956, he joined All India Radio’s Kozhikode station and worked until 1975. Then, he got a transfer to Thrissur.

While working in AIR, he started writing poems and essays. Irupatham Noottandinte Ithihasam is one of his finest literary works. In 1952, his book received the Sanjayan Award. Some of his poetries are Upanayam, Indinju Polinja Lokam – Kavithakal, Samavarthanam, Balidarsanam, Akkitham Kavithakal: sampoorna samahaaram, Thiranjedutha Kavithakal, Samanvayathinte Aakaasham, Sparsamanikal, Amruthaghatika: Kavitha, Maanasa Pooja: Kavithakal, Oru Kula Mundiringa, Sanjarikal, Slokapunyam, Amrithaghadikam, Anthimahakalam, Kolaya Randu, Prathikaradevatha, Karathalamalakam, Madhuvidhuvinusesham, Sagarasangeetham, Madhuvidu, Manasakshiyude Pookkal, Oru Kudanna Nilavu, Desasevika, Avathalangal, Ponnanikalari, Prathikaradevatha, Kalikkottilil and his latest is Kedatha Sooryan in 2016. Some of his poetry are translated to foreign languages. His essays and literary criticism include Kavithayile Vruthavum Chathuravum, Vennakkallinde Kadha, Hridayathilekku Nokki Ezhuthu, Southasasthra Parambaryam Keralathil, Akkithathinte Therenjedutha Lekhanangal, Akkithathinte Therenjedutha Lekhanangal and Kavitha Oru Valiya Sathyamanu. Ee Edathi None Parayu and Akkithathinte Kuttikkavithakal are his notable works for children.

In 1971, he was awarded Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry for his work, Balidarshanam. In 1973, he received the Odakkuzhal Award for Nimisha Kshetram and Sahitya Akademi Award Balidarshanam. He also received Asan Smaraka Kavitha Puraskaram in 1994, Lalithambika Antharjanam Smaraka Sahitya Award in 1996 and Vallathol Award in 1997. In 2012, he was honored with Vayalar Award. In 2016, the Kerala Government honored him with Ezhuthachan Puraskaram. In 2017, he was conferred with one of the highest civilian awards in India, Padma Shri. In 2019, he was honored with O. N. V. Literary Award and Jnanpith Award. A documentary film on his life, Arikil Akkitham, was directed by E Suresh and it was said from his daughter Sreeja’s perspective. Besides Sreeja, Akkitham has two sons, Narayanan and Vasudevan and three more daughters, Indira, Parvathy and Leela. On 15^th October 2020, Akkitham died in a hospital in Thrissur due to an age-related illness. The government honored him with full state honors.