ALAPPUZHA: Katha alias Kamalakshi Amma, 91, wife of literary colossus the late Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, died of agerelated ailments at Medical Mission Hospital, Tiruvalla, on Wednesday.
Katha was admitted to the hospital around 11.30 am on Wednesday after she complained of breathing trouble. She breathed her last around 12 noon. The body was brought to her home at Thakazhi around 2 pm. Her cremation will be held on the house premises at 11 am on Friday. She is survived by a son and four daughters.
A typical village girl, Katha of Chembakassery Chirakkal, Thekkemuriyil, Nedumudi, got married to Thakazhi on September 15, 1934. After marrying Kamalakshi Amma, Thakazhi moved to 'Sankaramangalam' from 'Padaharam'. She was called by her husband and his friends as 'Katha.' She was an inspiration for the writer for decades until his death in 1999. In his novel Ormayude Theerangalil, Thakazhi had mentioned about his wife who had been a great support in his long literary career.
After Thakazhi's death, the state govt took over 'Sankaramangalam' as Thakazhi Memorial.