THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Renowned poet, lyricist and CPI leader Perumpuzha Gopalakrishnan (85) passed away on Tuesday. His funeral was later held at Santhi Kavadam, Thycaud as per COVID protocol.

Born in Perumpuzha in Kollam, Gopalakrishnan was an active student activist at Kollam SN College. After completing post-graduation, he secured a job in the Educational Department. However, he was soon expelled for being a communist. He was later reinstated soon after the first communist government came into power. He had retired as the research officer at the Kerala State Film Development Corporation.

Gopalakrishnan was the first editor of services magazine Kerala Service. Apart from penning lyrics for six films, he had also published literary works such as 'Rosappookkalude Naatil', 'Prathiroopangalude Sangeetham', and 'Sangeethathinte Rajasilpi'.