Sukumar Azhikode

Dr. Sukumar Azhikode (b. May 26, 1926 Azhikode, Kerala, India) is a teacher, critic and orator, acknowledged for his contributions to Malayalam literary criticism and insights on Indian philosophy. He is a bachelor and lives in Viyyoor near Thrissur.

Education and career

Sukumar Azhikode (SA) completed BCom in 1946, later BT in Malayalam and MA & PhD in Sanskrit. Azhikode was a teacher at Rajas High School,Chirackal St. Aloysius College,Mangalore and Devagiri College,Kozhikode and later a principal at SNM Training College, Moottakunnam, and a professor and Pro-Vice Chancellor at Calicut University. He retired in 1986.

Awards

Azhikode's most famous work is "Thathvamasi" (1984, Malayalam), an authoritative book on Indian Philosophy, Vedas and Upanishads. "Thathvamasi" has won twelve awards including the [http://www.sahitya-akademi.org/sahitya-akademi/index.htm Indian Sahithya Academy] and [http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org Kerala State Sahithya Academy] Prizes, [http://www.dcbooks.com/Vayalar.htm Vayalar Award] and the Rajaji Award.

In Jan 2007, he refused to accept the Padma Shri conferred on him stating that “Such honours are against the Constitution. The Constitution says everyone should be treated as equal. Giving such honours at different levels, the State discriminates between people. I see the Padma Shri conferred on me as an opportunity to expose this discrimination”. [cite news |url= http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/27/stories/2007012719581100.htm |title= Azhikode rejects award |publisher= The Hindu |date= 2007-01-27 |accessdate= 2008-02-10]

Vaghbhadananda Guru

Azhikode considers Vagbhadananda Guru as his teacher and the Guru's book "Aathmavidya" as the stepping stone to his later pursuits on Vedas and Upanishads. Azhikode remembers the encouragement and persuasion of Malayalam writers M. T. Vasudevan Nair and N. P. Muhammad when he wrote the book.

Criticisms

Azhikode is accused by some of his critics of 'attention seeking'. A section of media alleges he criticises 'prominent' people to gain prominence and a space in media. But he is generally regarded as one of the finest orators and social critics in Kerala.Fact|date=February 2008.

Organizations and institutions

Azhikode is the founder/president of "Navabharathavedi" - a socio-cultural organization. He has also worked at several newspapers including "Dinabandhu", "Malayala Harijan", "Desamitram", "Navayugam" and "Dinaprabha" and was the Chairman of National Book Trust of India between 1993 and 1996, and also edited the Malayalam newspaper Varthamanam.

He changes his living status according to the situations(?). He has recently been critizising against spiritual/financial fraud.

Major works

* "Aasante Seetakavyam"
* "Ramananum Malayalakavitayum" (Ramanan and Malayalam Poetry)
* "Mahatmavinte Margam" (Way of the Mahatma)
* "Purogamanasahityavum Mattum" (Modern Literature and Others)
* "Malayala Sahityavimarsanam" (Criticism of Malayalam Literature)
* "Vayanayute Swargattil" (In the Paradise of Reading)
* "Tatvamasi
* "Malayala Sahitya Patanangal" (Studies on Malayalam Literature)
* "Tatvavum Manushyanum" (Philosophy and Humans)
* "Khandanavum Mandanavum" (Destructive Criticism and Constructive Criticism)
* "Entinu Bharatadare"
* "Azhikodinte Prabhashanangal" (Speeches of Azhikode)
* "Azhikodinte Falitangal" (Jokes of Azhikode)
* "Guruvinte Dukham" (Sorrow of the Teacher)
* "Aakasam Nashtapetunna India" (India Losing Horizon)
* "Pathakal Kazhchakal" (Routes and Sights)
* "Mahakavi Ulloor" (The Great Poet Ulloor)

References