By our Correspondent,
Guruvayur: Prominent historian and researcher Velayudhan Panikkassery, 90 years passed away at his residence at nearby Engandiyur on Sept 20, the family sources said.
He had authored in all 66 books in various fields including history research, biographies, children’s literature and folklore .
Panikkassery began his career as a librarian at the Engandiyur branch library of the Malabar local Library Authority (under the old Madras State) in 1956 and retired in 1991.
Ten of his books had been recognized as text books for Kerala, Calicut and Mahatma Gandhi Universities. Some of his books had been rendered into Tamil and Hindi.
He was a recipient of a fellowship from the Central Cultural Department for research in ancient Kerala’s foreign relations and the influences of foreigners on arts and culture.
He had won the Kerala Sahitya Academy’s award for his comprehensive contributions.
He had received numerous honors including the V S Keraleeyan Award, P A Sethumuhammed Memorial Award, N K Foundation Award and the Centre for Historical Studies Award.
Panikkassery had also served on the Archaeology State Advisory Board and the Regional Records Committee of the Archives Department .
He was editor of the quarterly “Thaliyola”.
He is survived his wife Leela ( retired teacher), and children Chintha, Dr Shaji and veena.
