KANNUR: Writer and human rights activist Kunhiraman Panoor, 84, passed away while undergoing treatment for age-related ailments at a private hospital in Kannur on Tuesday. Author of several books, Kunhiraman Panoor was known for his work ‘Keralathile Africa’, in which he portrayed the ill-fated, slavish lives of Kerala tribals.
A recipient of Kerala Sahitya Akademi award in 2006, his other prominent works are ‘Keralathile America’ and ‘Ha, Naxalbari’. He served as the registrar of Malayala Kalagramam, Mahe, for 10 years after retiring from the Revenue Department.He is survived by wife Heera Bhai and children Hiran Kumar, Harish Babu, Helena and Hemulal.