Sukumar Azhikode, veteran Malayalam writer, orator, scholar, Gandhian, former pro-vice-chancellor of Calicut University and ex-chairman of the National Book Trust, died at a private hospital here on Tuesday.
He was 85. The end came around 6-35 a.m.
He was shifted to the hospital on December 9 from another where he had been admitted on December 7 following complications from a fall in sodium level in blood. According to doctors, he suffered from cancer of the right lower alveolus.
“He sought treatment for paraplegia (an impairment in motor or sensory function of the lower extremities). And was diagnosed with extensive bone and skull metastasis (spread of cancer to other parts of the body),” said Sreekumar Pillai, a member of the team of doctors that treated him.
A major presence in the State’s cultural world for more than six decades, Azhikode was an intellectual giant who was passionate about all aspects of life, literature, philosophy, politics, governance and civic responsibility.
Azhikode's most famous work is 'Tatvamasi' (1984, Malayalam), an authoritative book on Indian Philosophy, Vedas and Upanishads.
‘Tathvamasi’ has won 12 awards including the Indian Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahithya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award and the Rajaji Award. In Jan 2007, he refused to accept the Padma Shri conferred on him stating that such honours were against the Constitution.
He was the founder and president of Navabharathavedi – a socio-cultural organisation. He has also worked in several newspapers including ‘Varthamanam’, ‘Dinabandhu’, ‘Malayala Harijan’, ‘Desamitram’, ‘Navayugam’ and ‘Dinaprabha’. He was chairman of the National Book Trust between 1993 and 1996.
His major works include ‘Aasante Seetakavyam’, ‘Ramananum Malayalakavitayum’, ‘Mahatmavinte Margam’, ‘Purogamanasahityavum Mattum’, ‘Malayala Sahityavimarsanam’, ‘Vayanayute Swargathil’, ‘Malayala Sahitya Patanangal’, ‘Tatvavum Manushyanum’, ‘Khandanavum Mandanavum’, ‘Entinu Bharatadare’, ‘Azhikodinte Prabhashanangal’, ‘Azhikodinte Phalitangal’, ‘Guruvinte Dukham’, ‘Aakasam Nashtapetunna India’, ‘Pathakal Kazhchakal’ and ‘Mahakavi Ulloor’.
Sukumar Azhikode graduated in Commerce in 1946. He then completed a course in training, a post-graduate course in Malayalam and Sanskrit, and a doctoral degree in Malayalam.
His dissertation, ‘Malayala sahitya vimarsanam’ (Literary criticism in Malayalam language), is well-known.
He was a teacher at Rajas High School, Chirackal, St. Aloysius College, Mangalore and Devagiri College, Kozhikode and later a principal at SNM Training College, Moottakunnam, and a professor and
Pro-Vice Chancellor at Calicut University. He retired in 1986. After his retirement, he settled in Thrissur.
Thrissur plunges into grief
Thrissur plunged into sorrow after hearing the news of writer Sukumar Azhikode’s death.
Azhikode had made Thrissur his home after retirement. He initially lived at Viyyur and later relocated to Eravimangalam.
The body was taken around 8:30 a.m. from a private hospital, where he died, to his home at Eravimangalam.
Cooperation Minister C. N. Balakrishnan, Therambil Ramakrishnan, M. P. Vincent, MLAs, and Collector P. M. Francis were among those who arrived at the hospital to pay their last respects.
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Paeans to the great voice..the one who became the strong voice of kerala..,the one who was the only person to criticize everyone impartially..and the only 'vagbhatan' of modern Kerala..No one can replace him or his multi-faceted personality..A great loss to us..
ReplyDeleteIts a great loss to our beloved country a simple person who conquered all by his writings and actions. May the above bless this noble soul.
ReplyDeleteA great loss to the people of Kerala
ReplyDeleteI was a student of Sukumar Azhikode, when he was a Malayalam lecturer at Devagiri (St. Joseph's) College, Kozhikode. I had that privilege only for a year, but the impact he had on me as a teacher has lasted to this day. Though he taught Malayalam literature, hardly was there a class when he confined the discussion only to Malayalam. He always embellished his lectures with examples and comparable thoughts from Englsh and Sanskrit literatures. He had in-depth knowledge in all three. In those days, every class session lasted one hour. We teenagers greeted the bell that ended the class with joy. But not in the case of classes conducted by Sukumar Azhikode. Almost always, he would have brought us to such an intellectual high that we greeted the bell with disappointment.In my long student career, in India and the U.S., leading all the way up to a doctorate in political science, very few teachers have left in me the kind of impression that Sukumar Azhikode has.
ReplyDeleteSukumar Azhikode was one among the fast dying species of fearless, highly self motivated and dedicated to the cause of justice towering personalities in India.A rare combination of all the good ingredients in Gandhism, Marxism, Hinduism and above all social justice. His sense of humour, aesthetic approach to the core of life and the oceanic depth in literature are un parallel. Though it is a cliche, he has left a deep void in the cultural, political and spiritual life of Keralites. Let his soul rest in peace!
ReplyDeleteHe was a scholar and a great orator that was why every keralites respected him. When I was a student, I had a chance to listen to one of his speeches at Kottayam. He started his speech very slowly and went into raptures against the social anomalies. Truly, he was a correcting force. A beacon in the darkness.
ReplyDeleteSukumar Azhikode is a roaring lion in kerala.We must fold our hands infront of him.
ReplyDeleteSir will ever live in thousands and thousands of people like us.
ReplyDeleteThe demise of Sukumar Azhikode has left an indelible mark in Kerala's public sphere. He was a philosopher, an avid reader and a true Gandhian.He was a major voice of Kerala and he has voiced on issues on culture, politics etc.He was an orator of unparalleled vigor and quality.His magnum opus Thathwamasi is a classic in its content and style.People in Kerala will always keep him in their mind.
ReplyDeleteGreat intellectual and orator who dared to express his opinion on any issue... great loss to the state of Kerala ..
ReplyDeleteA heartiest Tribute to one of the most loving son of Kerala,we remember him by his Great work in the Field Of Art and Literature. May God Bless him the Peace of Heaven.
ReplyDeleteA great writer, a focused critic, a voracious orator and above all a great person. A great loss to Malayalam literature nay Indian literature. May his soul rest in eternal peace!
ReplyDeleteSukumar Azhikode had been a great writer, scholar, orator and critic that Kerala has ever seen. He was strong in his perception, bold in his critism, clear in his thoughts, authoritative in language and overall a great person. Its truly a great loss. On behalf of Dooravaninagar Kerala Samajam, Bangalore, I offer deep condolences on his bereavement.
ReplyDeleteOne of the greatest orator Kerala has ever seen. History will prove that no one can take his place. He stood for truth and courage. He was a ruthless fighter who played, fighted, frightened the politicians and conquered the minds of the Keralites with his sharp words.
ReplyDeletehe done his best to his country and to the malayalam liturature......A brave man with golden toungue....i am really salute to the respected person....
ReplyDeleteDr:Sukumar Azheekodu was a great Orator,Teacher,philosopher,Writer,Critic and social reformer.He always fought against all kinds of evil things in society.His sad demise is a great loss to all keralites.May his soul rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteRIP to his soul.Thandedavum,Anathwamulla orale koodi nashtamayi...He was one of my fav heroes
ReplyDelete