Puthussery Ramachandran laid to rest at Shanthikavadam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Renowned Malayalam poet and scholar Puthussery Ramachandran was laid to rest here on Sunday with all official honors.

His funeral was at Shanthikavadam in Thycaud at 3 pm in an emotional farewell to the revolutionary. His body was taken to Thycaud in a procession from his residence in Vellayambalam.

Due to coronavirus scare, there was no public showing. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and other personalities from all walks of life offered their last rites.

Ramachandran passed away at his house here on Saturday. Ramachandran (91) was suffering from age-related ailments.

It was Ramachandran''s tireless efforts resulted in Malayalam getting recognised as a classical language by the Central government in 2013.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the demise of Ramachandran was a major loss to the language, culture and progressive cultural movement of the state.

"When the leaders of Communist movement went into hiding or was in prison after of the Sooranad uprising, it was Ramachandran who led the revolutionary movement. He always maintained unity with the Left," Vijayan said.

Vijayan also said Ramachandran''s contribution in the field of linguistics was significant.

"Ramachandran showed exceptional commitment in discovering the historical documents with regard to Malayalam language so that it could acquire the classical language status," Vijayan said.

Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala also expressed condolences on the demise of the veteran poet.

"It was his relentless effort that helped Malayalam language to gain the classical language status," Chennithala said.

Ramachandran has won many prestigious awards, including the Sahitya Akademi award, the prestigious Ezhuthachchan Puraskaaram in 2015, Kerala Sahitya Akademi award and many others.