“Prof. Sukumar Azhikode was an excellent teacher and his joining the Malayalam department at the Calicut University bestowed a new prestige to the department and the campus.

“With masterly dexterity he transformed the otherwise monotonous Malayalam teaching into an endearing experience to students. As a critic, Azhikode brought down literary criticism from the ivory tower to the common people. But his true vocation was oratory. He was devastating, especially if he had to settle scores with somebody. “As a person, his major drawback was his craving for authority and power. That was evident in the days of the Emergency when he literally lorded over the Malayalam department and the University Campus. “Though he left Kozhikode for Thrissur, our relationship continued. I visited him twice at the hospital.

(As told to Jose Kurian)