Renowned Malayalam poetess and environment activist Sugathakumari passed away yesterday at the age of 86 due to COVID-19 related ailments. Her poems are filled with universal love and devotion towards Lord Krishna. People of Kerala regard Sugathakumari as a motherly figure due to her involvement in various social programs. She also played an important role in the conservation of Silent Valley National Park and along with senior BJP leader Kumman Rajasekharan she was also at the forefront of the protests against the proposed Aranmula Airport.
Bharatiya Vichara Kendram expressed grief in the demise of the poetess and said that Sugathakumari was guided by the spirit of nationalism and the principles of Sanatana Dharma. Balagokulam remembered her as a fighter and mentioned that Lord Krishna was her poetry’s soul.
Sugathakumari was born in 1934 in Pathanamthitta district to a famous writer and Gandhian Bodheshwaran and Karthyayini Amma. She is well known for her collection of poems like Rathrimazha, Manalezhuthu and Ambalamani. She is also the recipient of prestigious awards including Sahitya Academy Award, Vayalar Award, Asian Prize, Saraswati Samman, Vallathol Award and Balamaniamma Award. Sugathakumar was conferred Padma Shri in 2006 for contributions to the field of Indian literature.
