Aluva: Poet and literary critic N K Desam alias N Kuttikrishna Pillai passed away on Sunday night. He was 87.

Born in 1936 in  Aluva's Desom, NK took his baby steps into the poetic field at the age of 12. He published 'Anthimalari', his first collection of poems in 1973. 'Kanyahridyam', 'Ullegam' 'Apoopanthadi', 'Chottayile Sheelam', 'Pavizhamalli', and 'Elimeesa' are some of his important literary works.

NK received the Edasseri Award (1982) for 'Ullegam'. He has also bagged accolades like Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, Odakuzhal Award and Sahodaran Ayyappan Award.

In the professional field, he was an LIC employee. 

NK is son of couple Narayana Pillai and Ammukutty Amma. He married Leelavathi Amma. Biju K, Balu K and Aparna K are his children. G Preetha, Geethalakshmi and Babu are his in-laws.