Thiruvananthapuram: Award-winning Malayalam poet A Ayyappan passed away on Thursday night in tragic circumstances. The poet was found on the road late in the evening in an ailing condition, and taken to hospital where he passed away a few hours later. Neither the police nor those who helped take him to hospital or the hospital authorities recognized the poet until after his death.
The 61-year-old poet was admitted to the General Hospital here after he was found at Thampanoor in the city, apparently ailing or injured.
It is presumed that the poet was on his way to Chennai to receive the Asan Prize which he had won this year. The award ceremony was scheduled for Saturday. It is thought that he may have been on his way to the railway station at Thampanoor to catch a train to Chennai when he took ill.
Ayyappan, who was considered a loner, had been a trendsetter in Malayalam poetry and had written poems from his student days. Among his many famous works are Maalamillaatha Paambu (snake without a hole) and Veyil (sunshine).
He also published a collection of short stories titled Onakaazhchakal.
Born in 1949, Ayyappan walked a different path both in life and his works, and was considered part of the modernist trend in Malayalam poetry.
Among those who offered condolences on the passing away of the poet were chief minister VS Achuthanandan and education and culture minister MA Baby.
Ayyappan had been ailing some months back, but of late he was thought to be keeping in good health.
