Sukumar Azhikode passes away !

Sukumar Azhikode, the legendary literary and social activist of Kerala passed away on Tuesday morning. He was 85. Azhikkode was admitted to the Amala hospital near here with symptoms of fast spreading cancer on December 10 last and he was on palliative treatment since then. His condition had turned critical on Saturday night the end came around 6am.
“He sought treatment for paraplegia (an impairment in motor or sensory function of the lower extremities). And was diagnosed with extensive bone and skull metastasis (spread of cancer to other parts of the body),” said Sreekumar Pillai, a member of the team of doctors that treated him.
A major presence in the State’s cultural world for more than six decades, Azhikode was an intellectual giant who was passionate about all aspects of life, literature, philosophy, politics, governance and civic responsibility.
Azhikode's most famous work is 'Tatvamasi' (1984, Malayalam), an authoritative book on Indian Philosophy, Vedas and Upanishads.
His major works include ‘Aasante Seetakavyam’, ‘Ramananum Malayalakavitayum’, ‘Mahatmavinte Margam’, ‘Purogamanasahityavum Mattum’, ‘Malayala Sahityavimarsanam’, ‘Vayanayute Swargathil’, ‘Malayala Sahitya Patanangal’, ‘Tatvavum Manushyanum’, ‘Khandanavum Mandanavum’, ‘Entinu Bharatadare’, ‘Azhikodinte Prabhashanangal’, ‘Azhikodinte Phalitangal’, ‘Guruvinte Dukham’, ‘Aakasam Nashtapetunna India’, ‘Pathakal Kazhchakal’ and ‘Mahakavi Ulloor’.
The war of words between Malayalam film star Mohanlal and Azhikode had drawn attention even at the national level in the recent month. But curtains came down on this when both decided to patch up when Azhikode was in hospital bed.
Azhikode who was moulded by the ethos Freedom Struggle and Gandhian values was a strong Congressman in his early days. But towards the end he was seen more close to the Left leaders. Numerous prominent personalities from various walks of life including Defence Minister A K Antony, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Leader of Opposition V S Achuthanandan, cine stars like Mamootty and Innocent, writers ONV Kurup and M T Vasudevan Nair and community leaders like Vellappilli Nateshan and Bishop Andrews Thanzhath had visited him at his hospital days earlier.