Eminent educationst, teacher, voyager and writer P Chitran Namboothiripad died following age-related ailments, family sources here said on Tuesday. He was 103. A prominent figure in the cultural arena of Kerala for decades, Namboothiripad was known for his progressive outlook, contributions in the education sector as the Director of Public Instructions and service as the secretary of the Kerala Kalamandalam.
He used to hit headlines until recent times over his frequent trips to the Himalayas despite his advanced age. He undertook over 30 voyages to the region. An established writer, Namboothiripad's travelogue 'Punyahimalayam', an account of his Himalayan voyages, was well-received among the readers. People from various walks of life condoled the death of Namboothiripad. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hailed his contributions in diverse fields.