A.C. Sreehari, a poet, writer, and academic known for his contributions to contemporary Malayalam (the language spoken predominantly in the Indian state of Kerala) literature, died of a heart attack on Friday night at the age of 56. Sreehari had recently retired as head of the English department at Payyanur College, and several of his poems formed part of university curricula across Kerala, with notable works including Yuva Kavithakkoottam (1999) and Kavithayude Noottandu (2001). He is survived by his wife and son, and his passing has drawn condolences from Kerala's Leader of the Opposition, Pinarayi Vijayan.