Renowned writer Sukumar Azhikode passes away

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Renowned writer Sukumar Azhikode passes away  

Sukumar Azhikode, the legendary literary and social activist of Kerala passed away on Tuesday morning. He was 85.
Azhikode was admitted to the Amala hospital near here with symptoms of fast spreading cancer on December 10 last and he was on palliative treatment since then. His condition had turned critical on Saturday night and the end came around 6 am
Azhikode was a towering presence for about six decades in Kerala’s literary and social spheres through his interventions as a powerful, erudite and charismatic orator and versatile writer. He had remarkable command over Sanskrit, Malayalam, and English languages and had deeply internalized the classical traditions of all the three languages.
He had acquired in depth knowledge of Indian philosophy, ethics and mythology and had made extensive explorations into Western philosophies, particularly into their humanistic sources. His scholarly and inspiring orations had given him direct access to the masses at levels which even the most popular politician of the state would envy of. His incisive literary critical works occupy prime stature in Kerala’s literary lineage.