P. Narayana Kurup

Kurup was brought up in an ethos of music and temple art in his native village Haripad, Kerala. He took his degree in Science and Education from University College, Trivandrum and masters in English with distinction while serving in Central Ministry at Delhi. In addition to poetry, he authored several significant works on satire, criticism and travel memoirs, among others. He also chaired and helmed the operations of Thapasya (Forum for Art and Literature) and Margi (Centre for Classical Art) and was considered a connoisseur and critic of Kathakali and Koodiyattam. He was awarded India's fourth highest civilian award Padma Shri in January 2022.

Kurup died on 20 June 2026, at the age of 91.^[1]

Kurup was deputed as research officer to the Language Institute, Trivandrum and served as Consulting Editor in Encyclopedic Publication of the Kerala Government and Assistant Editor and Editor in Publications Division, New Delhi. He was the editor of two encyclopedias published by D.C. Books (from 1985 to 1988). He was the governing body member of Kerala Kala Mandalam from 1986 to 1992. He was a trustee of Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal from 2004 to 2010. He had also held the position of Vice-President (All India) of Sanskar Bharati, Agra from 2000 to 2004. He was also a member of film advisory committee from 2002 to 2008. He was re-appointed to the committee in 2015 and held membership in the film advisory committee until his death.

Major contributions

Kurup was a member of the judging committee of Door Darshan Kendra at Delhi and in Trivandrum station. He was an expert member in Veda-Vyasa Brahma Vidya Peeth, Quilon Kerala. He was the patron of Thapasya (Forum for Art and Literature) after having been its president for 10 years. He was a member in Executive Committee of Margi (Centre for Classical Art). He was also the Vice President of Irayimman Thampi Smaraka Trust and Chairman of N. V. Krishna Warrier Smaraka Samithi.

• Padma Shri in January 2022^[2]
• Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry in 1991^[3]
• Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Literary Criticism in 1986^[3]
• Odakkuzhal Award from Guruvayurappan Trust for poetry in 1990^[3]
• State Children's Literature Award^[4]
• Ulloor Award in 2002 for Poetry^[3]
• Amrita Keerti Puraskar in 2005.^[5]
• Janmashtami Award from Balagokulam in 2012^[3]
• Sanjayan Award in 2015^[3]
• Vallathol Award in 2014^[3]
• Kerala Panini Puraskaram^[2]