Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri was awarded the 55th Jnanpith Award. He was born in 1926 in Kerala's Palakkad district is one of the most revered names in Malayalam poetry. Some of his celebrated creations include Veeravadam, Balidarsanam, Nimisha Kshethram, Amrita Khatika, Akkitham Kavithaka, Epic of Twentieth Century and Antimahakalam.