Malayalam writer Akbar Kakkattil dies at 62

Malayalam writer Akbar Kakkattil (62) died at a private hospital in Kozhikode early on Wednesday, Feb. 17. He was 62. Akbar was undergoing treatment for lung cancer for more than a year.

The mortal remains of the two-time Kerala Sahitya Akademi award winner has been kept at Kozhikode Town Hall for public to pay their last respect, and he will be buried at Kandoth Kuni Juma Masjid in Kakkattil on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

The popular novelist and short story writer, born in 1954, began publishing his short stories in  Malayalam weekly Mathrubhumi at the age of 14. He was known for his unique narrative style and has published more than 54 books.

He won the Sahitya Akademi Award for his works "School Diary" (1992) and "Vadakku Ninnoru Kutumbavrithantham" (2003). Some of his other works are "Ee Vazhi Vannavar" (1978), "Medhaswam" (1982), "Shameelafahmi" (1986), "Adhyapaka Kathakal" (1989), "Kadarkutty Utharav" (1991) and "Ippol Undakunnath" (2014).

The five novels he had written are "Mruthyu Yogam" (1989), "Strainam" (1995), "Harithaabhakalkkapuram" (1997), "Vadakkuninnoru Kudumba Vrithaantham" (2001) and "Akbar Kakkattilinte Naalu Novelukal" (2012).

Akbar is survived by wife V Jameela and two children.

Meanwhile, Keralites have been mourning the death of many other popular artistes, including popular lyricist and poet ONV Kurup, who passed away on Feb. 13 at the age of 84, followed by cinematographer Anandakuttan and music director Rajamani who died on Feb. 14.