Renowned Malayalam Poet-Activist Sugathakumari Passed Away

• 24 Dec 2020

• Noted poet and activist Sugathakumari who was at the forefront of environmental and feminist movements in Kerala has passed away.
• She was the founder secretary of the ‘Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi’, an organisation for the protection of nature, and of ‘Abhaya’, a home for destitute women and a day-care centre for the mentally ill.
• She held the post of chairperson of the Kerala State Women’s Commission.
• She was at the forefront of ‘Save Silent Valley’ agitation which had garnered national attention in the 90s.
• Sugathakumari won numerous awards and recognitions including Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award (1968), Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award (1978).
• In 2006, she was honoured with Padma Shri, the country's fourth-highest civilian honour.
• For her contribution to conservation of nature, she was awarded the first Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra by the Centre.
• She won the Saraswati Samman for her work ‘Manalezhuthu’ in 2012.