Sukumar Azhikode, (26 May 1926 to 24 January 2012) was an Indian writer, critic and orator, acknowledged for his contributions to Malayalam language and insights on Indian philosophy.

Sukumar Azhikode completed Bachelor of Comerce in 1946. He then took BT followed by Master of Arts in Malayalam and Sanskrit and Doctor of Philosophy in Malayalam. His dissertation is “Malayala sahitya vimarsanam”(Literary criticism in Malayalam language). Azhikode was a teacher at Rajas High School, Chirackal, St. Aloysius College, Mangalore and Devagiri College, Kozhikode and later a principal at SNM Training College, Moottakunnam, and a professor and Pro-Vice Chancellor at Calicut University. He retired in 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. Sukumar Azhikode passed away on January 24, 2012 at the age of 85.

Major works

• 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)