Sanskrit Scholar and Bhagavatham Exponent Malliyoor Sankaran Namboothiri died

Sanskrit scholar and Bhagavatham exponent Malliyoor Sankaran Namboothiri died in Kuruppanthara, on 2 August 2011. Sankaran Namboothiri devoted his life to rendering and exposition of Bhagavatham. Born in February 1921, he was the shishya of eminent Sanskrit scholar Padappa Neelakantan Namboothiri at Guruvayoor. On the advice of the guru he took up rendering of Bhagavatham in total surrender to Guruvayoorappan.

His Bhagavatham rendition, known for its lucidity and erudition, attracted devotees from across the country.  He focused his activities in the last few years at the Malliyoor Mahaganapathy temple, the name of which became synonymous with him.

He was awarded the title Bhagavathahamsom by Guruvayoor Bhagavatha Vijnana Samithy after his successful completion of 2500 Bhagavatha Sapthaham. He was bestowed with Poonthanam Puraskaram by Akhila Bharatheeya Guruvayoorappan Bhaktha Samithy. Sankaran Namboothiri also received the Njananppana Puraskaram from the Guruvayoor Devaswom and the Bhagavatha Sevaaratna Puraskaram from the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam.

His Navathy (completing 90 years) was celebrated during January-February 2011.