Ottaplakkal Neelakandan Velu Kurup

He was a leader of All India Students Federation (AISF). He died on 13 February 2016 at KIMS hospital in Thiruvananthapuram due to age-related illnesses. He was 84.

Ottaplakkal Neelakandan Velu Kurup studied at University of Kerala, Sree Narayana College, Kollam and University College Thiruvananthapuram. The recorded working language is Malayalam. Residence is recorded at Thiruvananthapuram. Distinctions recorded are Padma Shri in literature and education, Padma Vibhushan in literature & education, Pushkin Medal and Sahitya Akademi Award.

O. N. V. Kurup was born to O. N. Krishna Kurup and K. Lakshmikutty Amma, on 27 May 1931 at Chavara, Kollam (Quilon) in Kerala. He lost his father when he was eight. His childhood days were spent in Chavara, where he attended the government school. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics from SN College, Kollam, he moved to Thiruvananthapuram city where he joined Travancore University (now Kerala University) and pursued Master of Arts in Malayalam literature. Kurup was a lecturer at Maharajas College – Ernakulam, University College – Thiruvananthapuram, Arts and Science College – Kozhikode, and Brennen College – Thalassery. He joined Government Women's College – Thiruvananthapuram as the Head of Malayalam Department. He was also a visiting professor at Calicut University. He retired from service in 1986. He received the Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary award, for the year 2007. He was the fifth Jnanpith laureate from Kerala and the second Malayalam poet to win the award. According to a statement by Bharatiya Jnanpith, the trust which presents the award, Kurup began his career as a "progressive writer and matured into a humanist though he never gave up his commitment to socialist ideology". He settled at Vazhuthacaud in Thiruvananthapuram, with his wife Sarojini, who was also his student in his early days. O. N. V. Kurup died on 13 February 2016, due to age-related ailments at KIMS Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. He was 84. He was cremated with full state honours at Thycaud Santhikavadam crematorium, which was named for him. At the time of his cremation, 84 singers representing the 84 years of his life. Led by K. J. Yesudas, they paid homage to him by singing his poems and songs. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

O. N. V.'s first published poem was 'Munnottu' (Forward) which appeared in a local weekly in 1946. His first poetry collection, Porutunna Soundaryam, came out in 1949. He published a book named Daahikunna Paanapaathram (The Thirsty Chalice) which was a collection of his early poems during 1946–1956.

• Collection of 1500 songs. **Poems for children

In addition to the valuable contributions, he had given to the Malayalam literature, he was one of the leading lyricists in Malayalam film/drama/album industry. He was the part of many dramas by Kerala People's Arts Club (KPAC) which has a major remark in the revolutionary movements of Kerala. Kalam Marunnu (1956) was his first film which was also the first film by the famous Malayalam composer G. Devarajan. Since then, he has been active in film until his death and was honored with one national award and fourteen state awards (the most by a Malayalee). He has penned about 1000 songs in about 232 films and numerous songs for plays and albums. His partnerships with Salil Chowdhury and M. B. Sreenivasan were so popular in Malayalam film industry. He has made many hit songs with popular music directors, including G. Devarajan, Raveendran, V. Dakshinamoorthy, M. S. Baburaj, M. K. Arjunan, K. Raghavan, Ilaiyaraaja, Shyam, Johnson, Bombay Ravi, Mohan Sithara, M. G. Radhakrishnan, S. P. Venkatesh, Ouseppachan, Vidyadharan and M. Jayachandran.

2011 – Padma Vibhushan 2007 – Honorary Doctorate by University of Kerala 1998 – Padma Shri

O. N. V. has won numerous awards for his literary works. 2015 – Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan Award 2015 – Medal of Pushkin 2013 – P. Kesavadev Literary Award 2011 – Kamala Surayya Award for Dinantham 2011 – Thoppil Bhasi Award 2010 – COSINE Award 2009 – Ramashramam Trust Award 2007 – Ezhuthachan Award 2007 – Jnanpith Award for his overall contributions to Malayalam literature (Announced on 24 September 2010) 2006 – Vallathol Award 2003 – Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam Sahitya Award 2002 – P. Kunhiraman Nair Award for Ee Purathana Kinnaram 2002 – Deviprasadam Trust Award 1993 – Aasan Prize 1990 – Odakkuzhal Award for Mrigaya 1982 – Vayalar Award for Uppu 1979 - Pandalam Keralavarma Janmasathabdi Smaraka Award (Poetry) 1981 – Soviet Land Nehru Award for Uppu< 1975 – Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award (Malayalam) for Aksharam 1971 – Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award (Poetry) for Agni Salabhangal