Renowned Malayalam poet and Jnanpith winner Prof. O.N.V. Kurup has passed away in a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram He was 84.

Popularly known as “ONV”, Ottaplakkal Nambiyadikkal Velu Kurup, has made significant contributions to the Malayalam film music, too.

A winner of the Kerala and Kendra Sahitya Academy awards, ONV won the Jnanpith in 2007 for his overall contributions to the Malayalam literature in the last six decades.

ONV was awarded Padma Shri in 1998 and Padma Vibhushan in 2011. His notable works include Agnishalabhangal, Aksharam, Uppu, Bhoomikkoru Charamageetham, Ujjayini and Swayamvaram.

Prof. Kurup, who began his career as a lecturer in Maharajas College, Ernakulam later taught at the University College, Thiruvananthapuram, the Arts & Science College, Kozhikode and Brennan College, Thalassery. ONV was Chairman of the Kerala Kalamdandalam and held several top positions in various arts and literary bodies.

He is survived by wife Sarojini, son Rajeevan and daughter Mayadevi.

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and Speaker N. Sakthan have condoled the demise of ONV.