Malayalam poet Akkitham Wins 55th Jnanpith Award 2019

Noted Malayalam poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboodiri, popularlyknown as Akkitham, was declared the recipient of the 55th Jnanpith Award, thecountry's highest literary honour, on Friday. Akkitham, said to be theproponent of modernism in Malayalam poetry, is 93 years old.

The award's selection board unanimously chose the poet forthe award, which includes a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh and a bronze replica ofthe deity Saraswati. Akkitham is the sixth Malayalam writer to be conferredthis award after G Sankara Kurup, Thakazhi, SK Pottekatt, MT Vasudevan Nair andONV Kurup.

Originally from Kerala's Palakkad district, Akkitham has more than 43 literary works in Malayalam to his name. His work includes Irupatham Noottandinte Ithihasam, or the legend of the 20th century, which is considered to have brought modernism into Malayalam poetry, according to Malayala Manorama.

He was given the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilianaward, in 2017. The poet has also been the recipient of several other awards,including the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award in 1971, the Sahitya Academy Awardin 1973, and the Vayalar Award in 2012.

Akkitham also worked as a journalist in several magazines.He is also known for his advocacy against social evils that are said to beprevalent in the Nampoothiri (Brahmin) community.Last year, the award was bestowed upon writerAmitav Ghosh, and author Krishna Sobti was the recipient in 2017.