Noted Malayalam poet Mullanezhy is dead

THRISSUR: Noted Malayalam poet and actor, Neelakantan Mullanezhy, passed away at a private hospital here early today following heart attack. He was 63, and leaves behind wife and three children, family sources said.Mullanezhy, who was active till the end, had participated at a literary function at the Kerala Sahitya Academy yesterday evening.Besides being a teacher, he had made rich contributions to cinema and theatre and he had won the Kerala Sahitya academy's awards for his drama Samathalam in 1995 and his anthology of poems in 20l0.His important works are 'Mohapakshi', 'Raapattu', 'Naaranathupranthan' and 'Penkoda'.He complained of chest pain late yesterday night and was rushed to hospital, where he later died, the hospital sources said.Mullanezhy had acted in several films successfully as also in dramas.After retirement from a government high school, he had actively participated in social work and literary activities. His body would be brought to the Kerala Sahitya Academy hall at 12.30 hours from his Illam from Avinassery near here.The body will be placed at the KSA for paying tributes.The poet will be laid to rest this evening at his family compound.