Kochi, Aug 27: Well Known playwright of yesteryears, KS Namboodiri, passed away at a private hosptial in Kochi, Widnesday morning.

He was 71 and leaves behind his wife and two sons, family sources said.

Namboodiri had been admitted to the Medical Trust hospital here last month and was undergoing treatment for lung disease. His condition gradually deteriorated, the sources said.

Active during the seventies and eighties, Namboodiri`s plays `Samsya`, `Pathanam` and `Samavarthnam` were well received in the theatres. `Samasya` was later made into a feature film with the same name.

Namboodiri also wrote the script of `Yagam`, which was based on a short story by N Mohanan. The songs he penned in another film `Muthu` were all big hits. Two of his plays have been incorporated as textbooks for college level students.

Many awards also came his way, including the Vikraman Nair Trophy for the best play, Kerala Sahitiya Akademi award, Abu Dhabi`s Shakti award and the Kerala Government award.

The funeral will be held at his ancestral home at Kuruvilangad in Kottayam district at 5pm.

Bureau Report