Malayalam poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri has won the 55th Jnanpith Award for his "outstanding contribution towards literature". 93-year-old Akkitham is the sixth person from Kerala to receive the award. "A poet of rare integrity, a creator of many works, all considered as classics, Akkitham's poetry reflects unfathomable compassion," Jnanpith Selection Board said in a statement.