Kannur, Wednesday, January 25, 2012: The mortal remains of renowned orator, writer and social critic Sukumar Azhikode, who passed away at a private hospital in Thrissur on Tuesday, were consigned to flames with full state honours at Payyambalam here today.

After the family members performed last rituals, a gun salute was accorded to the late Azhikode. Thousands of people from all walks of life came in droves to pay homage to the departed soul after his body was kept at the Kannur town square.

Azhikode was a towering presence for about six decades in Kerala’s literary and social spheres through his interventions as a powerful, erudite and charismatic orator and versatile writer. He had remarkable command over Sanskrit, Malayalam, and English languages and had deeply internalized the classical traditions of all the three languages.
He had acquired in depth knowledge of Indian philosophy, ethics and mythology and had made extensive explorations into Western philosophies, particularly into their humanistic sources.
His scholarly and inspiring orations had given him direct access to the masses at levels which even the most popular politician of the state would envy of. His incisive literary critical works occupy prime stature in Kerala’s literary lineage.

Azhikode, the renowned orator is gone but the magic of words he left behind will continue to dazzle the social, cultural and political landscape of Kerala for a long time.

Azhikode towered over the state’s social, literary and political landscape for more than six decades. Bold in his comments which often created ripples, Dr Azhikode, in 2007, had refused to accept the Padma Shri stating that such honours were against the Constitution which treated all as equal.