Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri, popularly known as Akkitham, won the prestigious Jnanpith award for his outstanding contribution to literature. Akkitham, 93, has written several literary pieces in Malayalam.
Born in Palakkad, Kerala, Akkitham wrote his first poem when he was just of eight. Balidarashanam and Dharma Sooryan by him are highly rated by critics. They are considered the best among the modern Malayalam writings. Akkitham has participated in the Indian freedom struggle alongside Mahatma Gandhi.
Akkitham has also received Padma Shri honour in 2017. Akkitham has won the 55th Jnanpith award, the 54th award was given to Amitav Ghosh. The prize includes an honorarium of Rs 11 lakh and a bronze replica of Goddess Saraswati.
My books address issues of dislocation, migration, movement: Amitav Ghosh