ചങ്ങാതി തലവച്ച പാളത്തിലൂടെ ഞാന് തീര്ത്ഥയാത്രക്ക് പോയി…

A Ayyappan, noted Malayalam modernist poet whose poems were celebrated for their intensity, meditative beauty and pungent romance, died at the general hospital here today.

Ayyappan, 61, a bachelor whose Bohemian life and `anarchic' poetry won him numerous admirers, was found in an
unconscious state in front of a theatre in the city by local people who informed the police.

Without recognising the poet, the police took him to the hospital where he died at 11.40 am, police sources said. The
body was later recognised as that of Ayyappan.

Ayyappan, born at Balaramapuram in the outskirts of the city in 1949, started writing poems when he was a student. He
joined the Communist party and had worked with CPI mouthpiece `Janayugom' for a short period.
A close friend of late film-maker John Abraham who was also known for his lifestyle similar to that of the poet, Ayyappan was a regular presence at International Film Festivals held in the state.

Ayyappan, who was very popular among the poetic fraternity and the young generation of poetry lovers, had won several awards in his decades-long poetic career including the prestigious Asan Puraskaram this year.

His collections include `Maalamillatha Pampu,' `Onakkazhchakal, 'Karuppu', Balikkuruppukal, Greeshamvum Kanneerum, `Buddhanum Aankuttiyum', `Veyil Thinnunna Pakshi', Kushtaroga, Aspathriyile Dinangal and Thettiyodunna Second Soochi. Apart from this he had penned more hundreds of small poems for periodicals.

The cultural world in the state paid rich tributes to the deceased poet. State Minister for Culture M A Baby in his
message, said Ayyappan was a great poet who inspired a generation. Poets Sugathakumari and D Vinayachandaran lavished
praise on the richness of Ayyappan's poetry.