THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Renowned writer UA Khader passed away in Kozhikode at 5.30 pm today. He was 85 years old. He was suffering from lung cancer and was undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Star Care Hospital for the past few days.

He has won the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award and the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for his contribution to Malayalam literature. His works 'Thrikkottur Peruma' and 'Aghorasivam' secured the awards.

Khader is the author of more than seventy books, including these. His last published novel was Shatru, published in 2011. He has also received the SK Pottakad Award, the Abu Dhabi Shakti Award, the VT Memorial Award and the Padma Prabha Award.

UA Khader was born in 1935 in Bilin, Myanmar. He is the son of Moidutty Haji, a native of Koyilandy, and Mamaid, a Burmese. After graduating from Koyilandy High School, he graduated in painting from Madras Arts College.

He has served at Kozhikode All India Radio and the State Health Department. He has also been a member of the State Film Awards Jury, Vice President of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, Lalithakala Akademi, Sahitya Pravarthaka Sahakaranasangham Board of Directors and a member of the Governing Body of the Kerala Bhasha Institute.