KOZHIKODE: Akhil Raj, 25, of Vadakara, has recently published his third anthology of poems notwithstanding the fact that he suffers from cerebral palsy. He has also given a script to director Sathyan Anthikkad, who had visited him at his home here. According to Akhil's mother Sajitha Kallarakkal, he had started writing poems from the age of 15. "He wrote mainly about nature and God and we encouraged him. The trainers from BRC also helped him. His film script is a family story, dealing with the lives of common people," said Sajitha.
Akhil started showing symptoms of the disease when he was three. Due to illness, he could not receive formal education, and his mother's sister Suvarna, who teaches at Iringal LP school, helped him learn letters. Later, he passed class 10 through open schooling and now is awaiting the results of class 12 examination.
Akhil's published anthologies are 'Nakshathrangale Thedi,' 'Mazha Nananj' and 'Manassu Hiroshimayaakumbol.' The 'Pintorus Art' will honour him with 'Prathibha Puraskaram' for his contributions at a function at Vadakara block panchayat art gallery on December 3, World Disability Day.
