THRISSUR: Renowned Malayalam poet and translator Attoor Ravi Varma passed away here. He was under treatment for age related ailments at a private hospital here. He has played a key role in making Malayalam poetry popular.

Ravi Varma was presented with the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry and Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award among many other honours. Born on December 27, 1930, he is the son of Krishnan Namboothiri and Amminiyamma. He was a post-graduate in Malayalam and has served as a Malayalam professor in many govt colleges.

Ravi Varma was a member of Sahitya Akademi general council from 2002 to 2007. He was syndicate member of Kozhikode University from 1976 to 1981.