Jnanpith award winner and renowned Malayalam poet and lyricist Ottaplakkal Nambiyadikkal Velu Kurup, popularly known as ONV Kurup, passed away in a private hospital in Thiruvanathapuram on Saturday.
84-year-old ONV was a member of the Sahitya Akademi from 1982-1987.
Considered one of the most exceptional poets in the current era, he was also a lyricist who closely worked with Malayalam cinema. He won the state film award for best lyricist a record 13 times.
Born on May 27, 1931 in Chavara, Kollam district, ONV has six decades of literary contribution.
He received the Padma Shri in 1998 and Padma Vibhushan in 2011.
ONV Kurup's first published poem was "Munnottu" which appeared in a local weekly in 1946. Some of his poetic works include "Mayilpeeli", "Vallapattukal" and "Our Thulli Velicham". His poem "Bhoomikkoru Charamageetham" had won many accolades for it foresaw the environment tragedy and that of the universe.
He taught Malayalam in University, Women's and Maharaja colleges.
A Left leaning poet, ONV had contested in elections in 1991 from Thiruvananthapuram for Lok Sbha.