Poet, lyricist Anil Panachooran dies at 55 after contracting COVID-19

Well-known Malayalam poet and lyricist Anil Panachooran passed away at a private hospital here on Sunday (January 3) night after suffering a heart attack, hospital sources said.

Panachooran (55), who tested positive for COVID-19, was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kollam district and was brought to another facility here at around 7.20 pm, they said.

“He passed away at 8.20 pm,” the sources told PTI.

Kayamkulam police in Alappuzha district have filed a case of unnatural death after the poet’s family requested to find the exact cause of the death.

Panachooran is known for his famous lyrics in movies including Arabikadha, Kadha Parayumbo, Madambi, Marykkundoru Kunjaadu and Velipadinte Pusthakam among many others.

His poems Valayil veena kilikal, Anadhan and Pranayakalam were famous among Keralites.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala and others condoled the demise of Panachooran.

“His lyrics for the movies Arabikadha, and Kadha Parayumbol will remain in the hearts of Keralites forever. His untimely demise is a loss to the cultural and the film fraternity of the state,” Vijayan said in his condolences message.

Chennithala said he had good relation with the late poet and that “we lost a talented poet and lyricist”.