Kochi: Writer and academician, Prof. CR Omanakuttan passed away at a private hospital here on Saturday. He was 80 and had suffered a heart attack. 

A Sahitya Akademi Awardee, Omanakuttan worked as a faculty at Maharajas College for 23 years.

He has written more than 25 books and over 150 stories. An alumnus of CMS College, Kottayam, and SB College, Changanassery, Omanakuttan began his teaching career at a college in Meenchanda, Kozhikode where he taught for more than a year before moving to Ernakulam.

When serving in Meenchanda college, his roommate was none other than TV Eachara Warrier. He was close to Warrier’s son Rajan and was deeply affected by his disappearance and custodial death.

He even penned a book about the extra-judicial killing of Rajan titled 'Savam Theenikal’. The release event of this book was held in Kochi a month ago. 

Omanakuttan was born on February 13, 1943 in Thirunakkara, Kottayam. He has worked as a sub-editor in newspapers like Cinema Masika, Granthalokam and Prabhatham.

Major works: 'Kalppada', 'Omanakatha', 'Ezhasivanum Varikunthum', 'Abhinava Shakunthalam', 'Bhranthante diary', 'Savam Theenikal, 'Nanu', 'Devdas', 'Kumaru', 'Pakarnattam', 'Father Sergius', 'Carmila'.

His wife is Hemalatha. Film director Amal Neerad is his son, daughter Anupa is a teacher at Maharajas College; son-in-law Gopan Chidambaram (screenwriter) and daughter-in-law Jyothirmayi (film actress).