KOCHI: Noted literary critic M Achuthan, 86, passed away at a private hospital here on Sunday. Achuthan, who was admitted to hospital with age-related ailments, died around noon. The funeral will be held on Monday.
He is survived by wife Radha, who is the daughter of poet G Sankara Kurup, and daughters Nandini, Nirmala Pillai and B Bhadra.
Achuthan is known for his works ‘1001 Ravukal’ and ‘Cherukadha-Innale, Innu,’ with the latter being the history of short story literature in Malayalam. He won the Kerala Sahithya Academy Award for Cherukadha - Innale, Innu in 1976.
Other works
The other major works of Achuthan include ‘Swathantrya Samaravum Malayala Sahithyavum, Paschathya Sahithya Darshanam, Vangmayam, Samanvayam, Kavithayum Kalavum and Vivechanam.’ Apart from 1001 Ravukal, all his works fall in the category of literary criticism.
Achuthan was born at Mala in the Thrissur district on June 14, 1930, to Vadamayil Mukkuttiparambil Parukutty Amma and Narayana Menon. He obtained Masters Degree in Malayalam from Maharaja’s College with first rank.
Achuthan, who started his teaching career at Maharaja’s in 1956, worked as teacher at Victoria College, Palakkad, St Albert’s College, Ernakulam, Government Arts College, Kozhikode, and Government College, Pattambi.
He took voluntary retirement and became the Chief Public Relations Officer during the tenure of the government led by K Karunakaran.
He also served as director of the State Institute of Publications, president of writers’ cooperative SPCS and director board member of the Kerala Sahithya Academy.