P. Meerakutty

Pareeth Mammy Meerakutty (28 February 1930 – 24 August 2017) was a Malayalam writer, literary critic, and teacher. He taught Malayalam language and literature at various levels of educational institutions in a teaching career spanning over 44 years. Meerakutty served as a General Council Member of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi during the period 2011–2014.

Life sketch Meerakutty was born at Thankalam in Kothamangalam Municipality in Kerala state, India on 28 February 1930 to Marottickal Pareeth Mammy and Kayyamma.

Education He did his school education from Mathirappilly Govt. Primary School, Thrikkariyoor NSS Middle School, Muvattupuzha NSS Malayalam High School and Kothamangalam Mar Basil English High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Malayalam Literature, Master of Arts (MA) in Malayalam Literature, Malayalam Sahithya Visarad and Hindi Rashtrabhasha Visarad degrees through self study. He did his 'Bachelor in Education (BEd) study at Thalassery Govt. Training College.

Academic career His 44 years long career as a teacher started at Netaji Library Adult Education Programme at Kothamangalam. Later he worked as Malayalam Teacher in Asramam High School Perumbavoor, Mar Basil High School Kothamangalam and M.G.M High School Kuruppampady. In 1966, he joined the department of Malayalam in Thangal Kunju Musaliar College of Arts and Sciences, Kollam and worked there till 1990. Simultaneously he prepared students for Teacher Training course at Kuruppampady Vidvan Vidyalaya for 15 years. He was appointed as Professor Emeritus at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady.

Literary works Meerakutty's literary works falls under the categories of Literary Criticism, History of Literature, Grammar, History, biography, Children's Literature and Translation. His views on Sabarimala Ayyappan and Onam are controversial.

Committee organization Meerakutty served as General Council Member of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi during the period 2011–2014. He was one of the founders of Kadhasamithy at Muvattupuzha. He also served as the Kollam District President of Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham (Progressive Arts & Literary Organisation) an Association for Art and Letters, also known as the PuKaSa, an organization of artists, writers and art and literature enthusiasts based in Kerala. He was also State committee member of the All Kerala Private School Teachers Association (AKPCTA) and an Association of Sixty Opted College Teachers.

Personal life He married K.Suleikha Beevi in the year 1960. He has four children, Dr. Shiney Ali, Dr. Rejula Rabi, M.Shairaj IRS and Dr. Lajni Shafeeq.

Dementia and Death In 2010, dementia and memory loss symptoms developed and he was identified as having Alzheimer's disease (AD) which ultimately led to his death during the early hours of 24 August 2017