Thiruvananthapuram, Tuesday 02 June 2009: The body of noted writer Kamala Surayya, who died in Pune on Sunday, would be interred with State honours at the Khabristan of the Palayal Juma Masjid at 8 a.m here today. The prayers will be led by Palayam Imam Moulavi Jamaluddeen Mankada.

Hundreds paid their last respects on Monday night to writer Kamala Suraiya, who died at a private hospital in Pune in the wee hours of Sunday.

The hearse carrying her body reached the University Senate hall around 8.15 p.m. accompanied by her son Monu D. Nalapat. It was received by a galaxy of political, cultural and literary personalities, including M.A. Baby, Minister for Education and Culture, M. Vijayakumar, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, C. Divakaran, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, P.K. Sreemathy, Minister for Health and Social Welfare and O.N.V. Kurup, poet.

The coffin was placed on a podium encrusted with flowers, specially erected for the purpose, for the public to pay homage. The writer was then accorded a ceremonial 12-member gun salute by the State police. Mourners — some of whom had arrived as early as 7 p.m. — were then allowed to pay their obeisance.

The public homage was led by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi.