Born-26 May 1926
Azhikode, Kannur, Kerala, India
Died-January24, 2012 (aged 86)
Occupation-Writer, Social Critic, Orator, Pro Vice Chancellor
Nationality-Indian
Notable work(s)-Tatvamasi,Aasante Seetakavyam, Ramananum Malayalakavitayum, Mahatmavinte Margam, Malayala Sahityavimarsanam,
Sukumar Azhikode is an Indian writer, critic and orator, acknowledged for his contributions to Malayalam language and insights on Indian philosophy. He took his Ph.D in Malayalam language & worked as a teacher in schools like Chirackal Rajas High School, Mangalore St Aloysius College, Kozhikode Devagiri College & later worked as the principal of Moottakunnam SNM Training College & a professor as well as pro-vice chancellor of Calicut university. He retired from his profession in the year 1986.Azhikode's most famous work is Tatvamasi (1984, Malayalam), an authoritative book on Indian Philosophy, Vedas and Upanishads. Thathvamasi has won twelve awards including the Indian Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahithya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award and the Rajaji Award.
In Jan 2007, he refused to accept the Padma Shri conferred on him stating that Such honours are against the Constitution. "The Constitution says everyone should be treated as equal. Giving such honours at different levels, the State discriminates between people. I see the Padma Shri conferred on me as an opportunity to expose this discrimination." He also won the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam Sahithya Puraskaram lifetime achievement award.
From 1993-1996, Dr Sukumar Azhikode served as the chairman of National book trust. Apart from this, he also worked for different newspapers like Navayugam, Malayala Harijan, Dinabandhu etc. Also note that this great writer is the founder as well as president of a socio cultural organization named Navabharathavedi.
Important works of Dr Sukumar Azhikode
- Aasante Seetakavyam
- Ramananum Malayalakavitayum (Ramanan and Malayalam Poetry)
- Mahatmavinte Margam (Way of the Mahatma)
- Purogamanasahityavum Mattum (Modern Literature and Others)
- Malayala Sahityavimarsanam (Criticism of Malayalam Literature)
- Vayanayute Swargattil (In the Paradise of Reading)
- Tatvamasi
- Malayala Sahitya Patanangal (Studies on Malayalam Literature)
- Tatvavum Manushyanum (Philosophy and Humans)
- Khandanavum Mandanavum (Destructive Criticism and Constructive Criticism)
- Entinu Bharatadare
- Azhikodinte Prabhashanangal (Speeches of Azhikode)
- Azhikodinte Falitangal (Jokes of Azhikode)
- Guruvinte Dukham (Sorrow of the Teacher)
- Aakasam Nashtapetunna India (India Losing Horizon)
- Pathakal Kazhchakal (Routes and Sights)
- Mahakavi Ulloor (The Great Poet Ulloor)