P. Narayana Kurup

P. Narayana Kurup (5 September 1934 – 20 June 2026) was an Indian Malayalam–language poet and literary critic from Kerala state, South India.

Background 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.

Positions held 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.

Awards and achievements Padma Shri in January 2022 Odakkuzhal Award from Guruvayurappan Trust for poetry in 1990 Ulloor Award in 2002 for Poetry Janmashtami Award from Balagokulam in 2012

Published works + (I) POETRY Sl No Poetry Title Year Publisher 1 Astramalyam 1969 NBS Kottayam 2 Kurumkavita 1970 NBS Kottayam 3 Apoornathayude Soundaryam 1977 NBS Kottayam 4 Naranathu Kavitha 1979 NBS Kottayam 5 Hamsadhwani 1988, 1990 NBS Kottayam 6 Bhupalam 1986 NBS Kottayam 7 Nishagandhi 1990, 2000 NBS Kottayam 8 Kimputer 1997 Current Books 9 Ammathottam 2001 NBS Kottayam 10 Syamasundaran 2007 NBS Kottayam 11 Samam Sangharsham 2004 Rainbow Books 12 Vakkile Sakunthala 2010 NBS Kottayam 13 Dasha-pushpam 2010 Prabhath Books

+ (II) CRITICAL ESSAYS AND STUDIES Sl No Title Year Publisher 1 Smapoorna Viplavam 1977 Navadhara Publishers 2 Black Money 1962 N.B.S 3 Unnayi Warrier (English) 1997 Sahitya Akademi 4 Kaviyum Kavithayum 1969, 1980 & 2004 NBS, Language Institute 5 Thiranottam 2010 Priya Darsini Publications

+ (III) PROSODY (published by Language Institute) Sl. No Title Year 1 Vritha padanam 1992, 1998 2 Kavitayile Realism 1993 3 Kavya Bimbam in Hindi and Malayalam 1988

+ (IV) TRAVELOGUE AND BIOGRAPHY SL. No Title Year Publisher 1 Ishwarante Naadu (on Himalayas) 1972 DC Books 2 Jawaharlal Nehru 1990 DC Books

+ (V) CHILDREN'S LITERATURE SL. No Title Year Publisher 1 Kadalasu Kappal 1962 NBS Kottayam 2 Vikkaranum Chakkaranum 1975 D C Books 3 Pantu Pantu 1987 Navadhara Publications 4 Thenichakkadu 1990 Publications Division New Delhi 5 Kolappan Pandi Thattan 2001 Bala Sahitya Institute Trivandrum 6 Nattu Kathakal 2009 Poorna Publication House 7 Kantappan Kelappan 2010 CSN Books, Trivandrum