After graduating with a bachelor's degree in Economics from SN College, Kollam, he moved to Thiruvananthapuram city (Trivandrum) where he joined Travancore University (now Kerala University) and pursued Master of Arts in Malayalam literature. His childhood days were spent in Chavara where he attended the government school. Lakshmikutty Amma, on at Chavara, Kollam (Quilon) in Kerala. He died on 13 February 2016 at KIMS hospital in Thiruvananthapuram due to age-related illnesses, aged 84. He was a leader of All India Students Federation (AISF). In 2007 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by University of Kerala, Trivandrum. He received the awards Padma Shri in 1998 and Padma Vibhushan in 2011, the fourth and second highest civilian honours from the Government of India. V., was a Malayalam poet and lyricist from Kerala, India, who won the Jnanpith Award, the highest literary award in India for the year 2007. Ottaplakkal Neelakandan Velu Kurup ( – 13 February 2016), popularly known as O. University of Travancore, ThiruvananthapuramĪgni Shalabhangal, Aksharam, Uppu, Bhoomikkoru Charamageetham, Ujjayini, Swayamvaram.Government Higher Secondary School, Chavara.
