Kerala bids adieu to ONV

Thiruvananthapuram: Thousands of people from all walks of life Monday converged here to bid a tearful adieu to Jnanpith award winning Malayalam poet ONV Kurup as his mortal remains were cremated with state honours.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, his cabinet colleagues, CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan, MLAs, cultural leaders and film personalities besides a large number of admirers and disciples paid their last respects to the departed soul.

The body of the 84-year-old poet, who died at a private hospital here on Saturday following cardiac arrest, was brought to the crematorium in a procession.

As a mark of respect, a group of artists paid a musical offering to the poet before the funeral.

A large number of people had thronged the VJT Hall here yesterday to pay homage to Kurup, one of the most loved and celebrated contemporary poets of Malayalam, when his body was kept there for public homage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Governor Justice (Rtd) P Sathasivam were among those who condoled Kurup's death.

A scholar, professor, environmentalist and a recipient of Kendra and Kerala Sahitya Akademi awards, Ottaplakkal Nambiyadikkal Velu Kurup, popularly known as ONV Kurup, had made his presence felt in the state's cultural, social, educational and political fields for the last six decades.

Besides his large number of poems on various subjects, ranging from humanity and hope to nature and romance, Kurup was also a leading lyricist.

A Padma Vibhushan awardee, Kurup received India's highest honour for literature, the Jnanpith award, in 2007.