Ottaplakkal Neelakandan Velu Kurup (known as O. N. V. Kurup; 27 May 1931 – 13 February 2016) was a

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of ...

poet and lyricist from

Kerala Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...

, India, who won the

Jnanpith Award The Jnanpith Award is the oldest and the highest Indian literary award presented annually by the Bharatiya Jnanpith to an author for their "outstanding contribution towards literature". Instituted in 1961, the award is bestowed only on Indian ...

, the highest literary award in India for the year 2007. He received the awards

Padma Shri The Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī'', lit. 'Lotus Honour'), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. In ...

in 1998 and

Padma Vibhushan The Padma Vibhushan ( , lit. "Lotus Grandeur") is the second-highest civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is given for "exceptional and distinguished service". All persons w ...

in 2011, the fourth and second highest civilian honours from the

Government of India The Government of India (ISO 15919, ISO: Bhārata Sarakāra, legally the Union Government or Union of India or the Central Government) is the national authority of the Republic of India, located in South Asia, consisting of States and union t ...

. In 2007 he was awarded an

Honorary Doctorate An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived all of the usual requirements. It is also known by the Latin phrases ''honoris causa'' ("for the sake of the honour") or '' ad hon ...

University of Kerala University of Kerala (formerly known as University of Travancore) is a state-run public university in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital of Kerala, India. It was established in 1937 by a promulgation of the Maharajah of Travancore, Chithi ...

Trivandrum Thiruvananthapuram ( ), also known as Trivandrum, is the capital city of the Indian state of Kerala. As of 2011, the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation had a population of 957,730 over an area of 214.86 sq. km, making it the largest and ...

. O. N. V. was known for his leftist leaning. He was a leader of

All India Students Federation The All India Students' Federation (AISF) is the oldest Student society, student organisation in India, founded in 1936. Pre-independence AISF was founded on 12 August 1936, with guidance and cooperation from the Indian independence movemen ...

(AISF). He died on 13 February 2016 at KIMS hospital in

Thiruvananthapuram Thiruvananthapuram ( ), also known as Trivandrum, is the Capital city, capital city of the Indian state of Kerala. As of 2011, the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation had a population of 957,730 over an area of 214.86 sq. km, making it the ...

due to age-related illnesses, aged 84.

Biography

O.N.V Kurup was born to O. N. Krishna Kurup and K. Lakshmikutty Amma, on 27 May 1931 at

Chavara Chavara is a village in Karunagappally taluk, Kollam district, Kerala, India. It is a part of Kollam Lok Sabha constituency. Location and tourism Chavara is situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea and the major freshwater lake in Kerala ...

Kollam Kollam (;), is an ancient seaport and the List of cities and towns in Kerala, fourth largest city in the Indian state of Kerala. Located on the southern tip of the Malabar Coast of the Arabian Sea, the city is on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake ...

(Quilon) in Kerala. He lost his father when he was eight. His childhood days were spent in Chavara, where he attended the government school. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics from SN College,

, he moved to

Thiruvananthapuram city Thiruvananthapuram ( ), also known as Trivandrum, is the capital city of the Indian state of Kerala. As of 2011, the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation had a population of 957,730 over an area of 214.86 sq. km, making it the largest and ...

where he joined Travancore University (now

Kerala University University of Kerala (formerly known as University of Travancore) is a state-run public university in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital of Kerala, India. It was established in 1937 by a promulgation of the Maharajah of Travancore, Chithira ...

) and pursued

Master of Arts A Master of Arts ( or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA or AM) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Those admitted to the degree have ...

Malayalam literature Malayalam, the lingua franca of the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puduchery, is one of the six classical languages of India. Malayalam literature comprises those literary text ...

. O.N.V. was a lecturer at Maharajas College –

Ernakulam Ernakulam () is the central business district of the city of Kochi, Kerala, India. It is the namesake of Ernakulam district. The eastern part of Kochi city is mainly known as Ernakulam, while the western part of it after the Venduruthy Bridge ...

University College In a number of countries, a university college is a college institution that provides tertiary education but does not have full or independent university status. A university college is often part of a larger university. The precise usage varies f ...

– Thiruvananthapuram, Arts and Science College –

Kozhikode Kozhikode (), also known as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. Known as the City of Spices, Kozhikode is listed among the City of Literature, UNESCO's Cities of Literature. It is the nineteenth large ...

, and

Brennen College Brennen College is an educational institution in Kerala, affiliated to the Kannur University. It is located in Dharmadam, Thalassery of Kerala state, India. The college evolved from a school established by the English philanthropist Edward Br ...

–

Thalassery Thalassery () (also called Tellicherry) is a city and municipality on the Malabar Coast in Kannur district in the state of Kerala, India, bordered by the districts of Mahe and Kozhikode. Thalassery municipality has a population of just under ...

. He joined Government Women's College –

as the Head of Malayalam Department. He was also a visiting professor at

Calicut University The University of Calicut, also known as Calicut University, is a state-run public university headquartered at Tenhipalam in Malappuram district of the state of Kerala, India. Established in 1968, it is the first university to be set up in no ...

. He retired from service in 1986. He received the

, India's highest literary award, for the year 2007. He was the fifth Jnanpith laureate from

and the second

poet to win the award. According to a statement by Bharatiya Jnanpith, the trust which presents the award, Kurup began his career as a "progressive writer and matured into a humanist though he never gave up his commitment to socialist ideology". He was settled at Vazhuthacaud in

, with his wife Sarojini, who was also his student in his early days. ONV Kurup died on 13 February 2016, due to age-related ailments at KIMS Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. He was 84. He was cremated with full state honours at Thycaud Santhikavadam crematorium, which was named for him. At the time of his cremation, 84 singers representing the 84 years of his life, led by K. J. Yesudas, paid homage to him by singing his poems and songs. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Poetry

O. N. V.'s first published poem was 'Munnottu' (Forward) which appeared in a local weekly in 1946. His first poetry collection, ''Porutunna Soundaryam'', came out in 1949. He published a book named ''Daahikunna Paanapaathram'' (The Thirsty Chalice) which was a collection of his early poems during 1946–1956.

Poetic works

*Collection of 1500 songs. **Poems for children

Prose list

Lyricist

In addition to the valuable contributions, he had given to the Malayalam literature, he was one of the leading lyricists in Malayalam film/drama/album industry. He was the part of many dramas by Kerala People's Arts Club (KPAC) which has a major remark in the revolutionary movements of Kerala. ''Kalam Marunnu'' (1956) was his first film which was also the first film by the famous Malayalam composer G. Devarajan. Since then, he has been active in film until his death and was honored with one National Film Award for Best Lyrics, national award and fourteen state awards (the most by a Malayalee). He has penned about 1000 songs in about 232 films and numerous songs for plays and albums. His partnerships with Salil Chowdhury and M. B. Sreenivasan were so popular in Malayalam film industry. He has made many hit songs with popular music directors, including G. Devarajan, Raveendran, V. Dakshinamoorthy, Baburaj, M. S. Baburaj, M. K. Arjunan, K. Raghavan, Ilaiyaraaja, Shyam (composer), Shyam, Johnson (composer), Johnson, Ravi (music director), Bombay Ravi, Mohan Sithara, M. G. Radhakrishnan, S. P. Venkatesh, Ouseppachan, Vidyadharan and M. Jayachandran.

Awards

Civilian honours

* 2011 –

* 2007 –

(honoris causa) by

* 1998 –

Literary awards

O. N. V. has won numerous awards for his literary works. * 2015 – Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan Award * 2015 – Medal of Pushkin (Медаль Пушкина) * 2013 – P. Kesavadev Literary Award * 2011 – Malayalam Literary Awards#Kamala Surayya Award, Kamala Surayya Award for ''Dinantham'' * 2011 – Malayalam Literary Awards#Thoppil Bhasi Award, Thoppil Bhasi Award * 2010 – COSINE Award * 2009 – Ramashramam Trust Award * 2007 – Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, Ezhuthachan Award * 2007 –

for his overall contributions to Malayalam literature (Announced on 24 September 2010) * 2006 – Vallathol Award * 2003 – Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam Sahitya Award * 2002 – Malayalam Literary Awards#P. Kunhiraman Nair Award, P. Kunhiraman Nair Award for ''Ee Purathana Kinnaram'' * 2002 – Deviprasadam Trust Award"Awards, Trusts and Scholarships: 2: Deviprasaadam Trust"
Namboothiri.com. Retrieved 3 January 2023. * 1993 – Malayalam Literary Awards#Aasan Prize, Aasan Prize * 1990 – Malayalam Literary Awards#Odakkuzhal Award, Odakkuzhal Award for ''Mrigaya'' * 1982 – Vayalar Award for ''Uppu'' *1979-Pandalam Keralavarma Janmasathabdi Smaraka Award (Poetry) * 1981 – Soviet Land Nehru Award for ''Uppu''< * 1975 – Sahitya Academy Award, Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award (

) for ''Aksharam'' * 1971 – Kerala Sahitya Academy Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award (Poetry) for ''Agni Salabhangal''

Film awards

; National Film Awards * 1989 - National Film Award for Best Lyrics, Best Lyricist – ''Vaishali (film), Vaishali'' ; Kerala State Film Awards ONV won the Kerala State Film Award for the Best Lyricist fourteen times: * 2016 – Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics, Best Lyricist (Film – ''Kambhoji'') * 2008 – Best Lyricist (Film – ''Gulmohar'') * 1990 – Best Lyricist (Film – ''Radha Madhavam'') * 1989 – Best Lyricist (Film – ''Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnathil, Purappadu'') * 1988 – Best Lyricist (Film – ''Vaishali (film), Vaishali'') * 1987 – Best Lyricist (Film – ''Manivathoorile Ayiram Sivarathrikal'') * 1986 – Best Lyricist (Film – Nakhakshathangal) * 1984 – Best Lyricist (Film – Aksharangal'', Ethiripoove Chuvannapoove'') * 1983 – Best Lyricist (Film – ''Adaminte Variyellu'') * 1980 – Best Lyricist (Film – ''Yagam, Ammayum Makkalum'') * 1979 – Best Lyricist (Film – Ulkkadal) * 1977 – Best Lyricist (Film – ''Madanolsavam'') * 1976 – Best Lyricist (Film – ''Survey Kallu'') * 1973 – Best Lyricist (Film – ''Swapnam'') ; Kerala Film Critics Association Awards ONV won the Kerala Film Critics Association Award for the Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Lyricist, Best Lyricist seven times:"കേരള ഫിലിം ക്രിട്ടിക്‌സ് അവാര്‍ഡ് 1977 - 2012"
(in Malayalam). Kerala Film Critics Association. Retrieved 22 April 2024. * 1982 – Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Lyricist, Best Lyricist – ''Chillu'', ''Olangal'' * 1983 – Best Lyricist – ''Koodevide'', ''Parasparam'' * 1984 – Best Lyricist – ''Aalkkoottathil Thaniye'' * 1986 – Best Lyricist – ''Nakhakshathangal'', ''Panchagni'' * 1987 – Best Lyricist – ''Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal'' * 2001 – Best Lyricist – ''Meghamalhar'', ''Pularvettam'' * 2008 – Best Lyricist – ''Gulmohar'', ''Thalappavu'' ; Filmfare Awards * 2009 – Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Malayalam, Best Lyricist Award – ''Pazhassi Raja (2009 film), Pazhassi Raja'' * 2011 – Best Lyricist Award – ''Paattil Ee Pattil'' – (Pranayam (2011 film), Pranayam) ; Asianet Film Awards * 2001 – Asianet Film Awards#Best Lyricist, Best Lyricist Award – ''Meghamalhar'' * 2002 – Best Lyricist Award – ''Ente Hridayatinte Udama''

References

External links

O.N.V Kurip Verse List-Tribute
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kurup, O. N. V. 1931 births 2016 deaths People from Kollam district Writers from Kollam 20th-century Indian poets Malayalam poets Malayalam-language lyricists Sree Narayana College, Kollam alumni University College Thiruvananthapuram alumni Academic staff of the University College Thiruvananthapuram Recipients of the Jnanpith Award Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in literature & education Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Malayalam Recipients of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award Recipients of the Ezhuthachan Award Kerala State Film Award winners Filmfare Awards South winners Academic staff of Maharaja's College, Ernakulam 20th-century Indian musicians Musicians from Kollam Film people from Kerala Indian male songwriters Indian songwriters Indian male poets Poets from Kerala 20th-century Indian male writers Best Lyrics National Film Award winners 20th-century Indian male musicians