End of eloquence

THRISSUR:  A luminous  era in Kerala’s history, notable for its literary and cultural eloquence, has ended with the passing away of Sukumar Azhikode, eminent writer, critic and orator, on Tuesday. He was 85. Azhikode, who was suffering from cancer in the spinal cord, was undergoing treatment at Amala Medical Centre, where he was admitted on December 10  last. His condition worsened on Saturday and he was on life-supporting system. The end came at 6.33 am.His body was taken to his home near here at 8.30 am and then placed at the Sahitya Akademi Hall at 10.45 am to enable the  public to pay their homage. In the evening, his mortal remains were taken to his home town in Azhikode, Kannur, where the funeral will take place on Wednesday afternoon on the Payyambalam beach with full state honours.A host of leaders, including Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala,  ministers K C Joseph, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, V K Ebrahim Kunju and C N Balakrishnan, Mahakavi Akkitham, O N V Kurup, Thrissur Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath  and  innumerable cultural, political and social leaders paid their last respects to the departed.One of the greatest orators Kerala has ever seen, Azhikode’s words have often invited the wrath of politicians, writers, film stars and cultural figures. There had been controversies around Azhikode always. His standoff with Mohanlal reached even the court. However, all prominent figures, who once fought with Azhikode, visited him at the hospital in his last days.