Kochi: Malayalam writer and academic C R Omanakuttan died here on Saturday. He was 80. He died at a private hospital here following a massive haemorrhage.
Born on February 13, 1943, Omanakuttan completed his studies from CMS College, Kottayam, SN College, Kollam, and SB College, Chanaganssery. He worked as an information officer in the Public Relations Department for four years before shifting his career to teaching.
He also worked as a sub-editor with periodicals such as Cinema Masika, Granthalokam and Prabhatham. He retired as a professor in 1998.
He was also a member of the Sahithya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham, advisory committee for Kerala State Cultural Affairs Department, State Film Awards Committee, State Film Development Corporation director board, Mahatma Gandhi University Curriculum Revision Committee and Vishwa Vijnana Kosham editorial board.
Malayalam filmmaker Amal Neerad is his son and actor Jyothirmayi is his daughter-in-law. S Hemalatha is his wife. He also has a daughter, Anoopa C R, who teaches at Maharaja's College. Scriptwriter and theatre artist Gopan Chidambaram is his son-in-law.
A native of Thirunakkara in Kottayam, Omanakuttan had served as a professor of Malayalam in different government colleges in Kerala. He worked at the Maharaja's College, Ernakulam, for 23 years.
He has authored nearly 20 books, including translations.
Among his notable works are "Nee Sathyam Njanam Anandam", "Omanakkathakal" and "Pakarnnattam". He had won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for his book "Sreebhoothanatha Vilasom Nair Hotel" in 2010.
Two of his books, "Shavamtheenikal" and "Thiranjedutha Kathakal" were released in Kochi earlier this month. "Shavamtheenikal" is a record of the struggles people had to endure during the Emergency. The book contains his memories of travelling with Professor Eachara Warrier while he was investigating the murder of his son Rajan during the Emergency.
The mortal remains will be brought to 'Thirunakkara' house near Lissie Hospital, Ernakulam, at Saturday night. The body will be kept at Kadavanthra Indoor Stadium for the public to pay their homage from 9.30 am to 2 pm on Sunday. The cremation will take place at Ravipuram crematorium at 2.30 pm on Sunday.
