K. J. Baby aka Kanavu Baby, distinguished Indian writer and social activist from Kerala, has passed away at the age of 70. Baby who is renowned for his impactful literary and cinematic contributions, was found dead at his home in Wayanad on Sunday.

Born on February 27, 1954, in Mavila, Kannur, Baby moved with his family to Wayanad in 1973 when he was just 19. Baby’s notable literary works include Nadugaddika, Mavelimantam, and Bespurkana. His novel Mavelimantam earned him the prestigious Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1994. His last novel, Goodbye Malabar, was released on November 16, 2019.

In 1994, Baby and his wife Shirly founded Kanavu, an alternative school and commune aimed at educating tribal children in Wayanad. The school garnered attention for its efforts to make tribal students self-sufficient.

Baby was also a prominent cultural stage activist. During the Emergency period, he traveled across Kerala with his play Nadugaddika, which led to his arrest.

Baby also made his mark in cinema with the film Guda (The Cage) in 2003, which depicted the life of the Kattunayakar tribe. He was recognised with the Bharat Bhavan award for his overall impact and playwriting in Nadugaddika.