Puthussery honoured

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: “Puthussery Ramachandran is a multifaceted personality whose contributions to the world of language and literature will be remembered forever,” said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.He was inaugurating the ‘Aksharavandanam’ programme organised in honour of the poet, who turned 84, earlier this month. The event held at the Vyloppilli Samskrithi Bhavan here on Friday included a ‘Shishya sangamam’ - a get-together of the students of Puthusserry and the release of the new editions of books authored by him. Culture Minister K C Joseph presided over.Vilakkudy Rajendran, former Director of State Language Institute, said that Puthusserry’s most significant contributions included the founding of the Place Name Society of Kerala (PLANS) and organising of the World Malayalam Conference in 1977.“He is one of the most important cultural figures of our times and yet laurels have eluded him. But the untiring poet and academician has continued to contribute to the society unmindful of rewards and recognitions,” he said.Mayor K Chandrika handed over a memento to the poet. Veteran Communist leader P Govinda Pillai delivered the keynote address. Justice D Sreedevi, former Chief Secretary and Cabinet Minister J Alexander, M A Baby MLA, C Divakaran MLA and others were also present.‘Kerala Charitrathinte Adisthana Rekhakal’, a landmark compilation by Puthusserry consisting of ancient documents on Kerala history, was also released. Other books published by SPCS and Sahitya Akademi were also be released on the occasion.