Akkitham (Achuthan Namboothiri)

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A brief biography

Nov 30, 2019: The Times of India

Eminent Malayalam poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri — popularly known as Akkitham — has been chosen for the 55th Jnanpith Award, the Jnanpith Selection Board.

In a statement released in New Delhi, the board said it had announced the recipient of the 55th Jnanpith Award for the year 2019. “It went to Shri Akkitham, eminent Indian poet writing in Malayalam.”

Akkitham said he followed the Indian literary tradition. “I am happy to get this highest honour though many other better writers of yesteryears missed it. Maybe I lived more years than them,” the poet said. The nonagenarian is the sixth to bring the coveted literary award to Malayalam, after ONV Kurup had won it in 2007.

Born on March 18, 1926, Akkitham is among the most revered names in Malayalam poetry. Apart from poetry, his literary excellence has footprints in drama, reminiscence, critical essays, children’s literature, short stories and translation. He also edited the magazine “Unni Namboothiri”.

His poetic works have a rare prophetic character, predicting socio-political developments. Akkitham is also known as the poet who ushered in modernity in poetry.

“Akkitham’s poetry reflects unfathomable compassion, imprints of Indian philosophical and moral values and a bridge between tradition and modernity, delves deep into human emotions in a fast-changing social space,” the statement by the board, chaired by novelist, scholar and Jnanpith laureate Pratibha Ray, said.

A Padma Shri awardee, he has won several literary accolades, including the Sahitya Akademi Award (1973), Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award (1972 and 1988), Mathrubhumi Award,Vayalar Award, andKabir Samman.