Dalit thinker, writer and activist KK Kochu dies at 76
KK Kochu, author and one of the foremost Dalit thinkers in Kerala, died on Thursday, March 13. Kochu breathed his last at the Medical College Hospital in Kottayam due to age-related illness. He was 76.Kochu has authored several books and essays in Malayalam on topics like politics, subaltern studies, literature, films and gender. His autobiography Dalitan, a thought-provoking history of modern Kerala from a subaltern perspective is a notable work and was translated to English by Radhika P Menon. Born in 1949 in Kallara in Kottayam, He completed his high school education at the NSS High School in Kallara and graduated from Maharaja’s College in Ernakulam.His Malayalam books include Kalaapavum Samskaaravum, Budhdhanilekkulla Dooram, Ambedkar, Jeevithavum Dauthyavum, Idathupaksham Illatha Kaalam, Dalit Nerkazchakal, Kerala Charitravum Samooha Roopeekaranavum and Deshiyathaykkoru Charitrapadama.Kochu received Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for overall contributions in 2020.He joined the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) in 1977 and worked there until his retirement in 2001.Kochu also played a major role in the creation of activist organisations in Kerala, including the Communist Youth Forum, the People’s Workers’ Union, and the Human Rights’ Committee.
KK KOCHU, author and one of the foremost Dalit thinkers in Kerala, died on Thursday, March 13. Kochu breathed his last at the Medical College Hospital in Kottayam due to age-related illness. He was 76.
Kochu has authored several books and essays in Malayalam on topics like politics, subaltern studies, literature, films and gender. His autobiography Dalitan, a thought-provoking history of modern Kerala from a subaltern perspective is a notable work and was translated to English by Radhika P Menon.
Born in 1949 in Kallara in Kottayam, He completed his high school education at the NSS High School in Kallara and graduated from Maharaja’s College in Ernakulam.
His Malayalam books include Kalaapavum Samskaaravum, Budhdhanilekkulla Dooram, Ambedkar, Jeevithavum Dauthyavum, Idathupaksham Illatha Kaalam, Dalit Nerkazchakal, Kerala Charitravum Samooha Roopeekaranavum and Deshiyathaykkoru Charitrapadama.
Kochu received Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for overall contributions in 2020.
He joined the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) in 1977 and worked there until his retirement in 2001.
Kochu also played a major role in the creation of activist organisations in Kerala, including the Communist Youth Forum, the People’s Workers’ Union, and the Human Rights’ Committee.
