Akbar Kakkattil

Akbar Kakkattil (7 July 1954 – 17 February 2016) was an Indian short-story writer and novelist from Kerala state. Akbar was born on 7 July 1954 at Kakkattil in Vadakara as the only son out of the two children of his parents, Sri. P. Abdulla and Smt. Kunjhamina. He completed his school education from Parayil L P School, Kakkattil, and Sanskrit Secondary School Vattoli. He spent the first half of the first year pre-degree at Farook College, Calicut and studied up to degree course in English Language and Literature at Government College, Madappally. The first year of P G course in Malayalam Language & Literature he studied at Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur and again moved to Government Brennen College, Thalassery to complete the course. He took his Bachelor of Education degree from Government Brennen College Of Teacher Education, Thalassery. While studying he was elected chairman of College Union both at Government College, Madappally Vadakara & Government Brennen College Of Teacher Education, Thalassery. He was also executive member of University Union of Calicut University. He has served as a Malayalam teacher for about 30 years in various schools, including National Higher Secondary School, Vattoli, where he worked for a long period. Akbar Kakkattil has worked as a member of the governing body of South Zone Cultural Centre of Central Government of India and Kerala State Institute of Children's literature. He has also served as member of the curriculum steering committee, Kerala Lalitha Kala Akademi, State Television Jury, State Cinema jury, Ezhuthachan Puraskara Samiti and Programme Advisory Board of Akashavani, Kozhikkode. Besides he has worked as an honorary editor of Malayalam Publications and Olive Publications, Kozhikode. He had been a permanent jury member of the first educational reality show in Kerala, Haritha Vidyalaya. He was also a member of Malayalam Advisory Board of Kendra Sahitya Akademi and Convener of Publication Committee, Kerala Sahitya Akademi. He was the vice president of the Kerala Sahitya Academi and a member of Malayalam Advisory Panel of National Book Trust, Govt. of India and Malayalam Advisory Board, Govt of Kerala. He was also a member of State Literacy Mission's Magazine Aksharakairali Editorial Board and Curriculum Committee of National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), Govt. of India. Akbar Kakkattil has also served as a part of the committee for the revision of Malayalam text books from the primary to the higher secondary level. Right from his college days he has been associated with the Film Society movements. He died on 17 February 2016.