Poet ONV Kurup passes away

Thiruvananthapuram: Celebrated Malayalam poet O. N. V. Kurup passed away on Saturday afternoon owing to age-related ailments. He was 84 years old.

A Jnanpith award winner, Mr. Kurup has published more than 20 books of poetry and collections. He also distinguished himself as a lyricist. Besides Jnanpith, Mr. Kurup has won more than two dozen literary awards and honours.

Born to O. N. Krishna Kurup and K. Lakshmikutty Amma at Chavara near Kollam, be studied at the local government school. After graduating from S. N. College, Kollam, he joined the Travancore University (now University of Kerala) for his masters in Malayalam literature.

O.N.V. was a lecturer at Maharajas College, Ernakulam; University College, Trivandrum; Arts and Science College , Kozhikode and Brennen College,Thalassery, before heading the Malayalam Department at Government Women’s College here.

Kurup’s first published poem was Munnottu (Forward) which was published in a local weekly in 1946. His first poetry collection Porutunna Soundaryam came out three years later.

As lyricist, his career spanned early days with Kerala People's Arts Club (KPAC) and partnerships with Salil Chowdhury and M. B. Sreenivasan in films to hit songs with contemporary music directors. He has written more than 900 songs for films.

He is survived by his wife Sarojini, son Rajeev (Indian Railways) and daughter Mayadevi  (gynaecologist in U. K.). Malayalam playback singer Aparna Rajeev is his granddaughter.

Cremation will take place with full State honours at Shanti Kavadam in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.