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Veteran Cultural Organiser Surya Krishnamoorthy Dies at 78
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News18•23-09-2026, 20:30
Veteran Cultural Organiser Surya Krishnamoorthy Dies at 78
- •Renowned cultural organiser, playwright, and former Sangeet Natak Akademi chairman Surya Krishnamoorthy passed away at 78 after battling pneumonia and other ailments.
- •Krishnamoorthy founded the cultural collective 'Surya' and the Surya Festival, one of India's longest-running cultural festivals, which began in Thiruvananthapuram in 1977 and brought artists from many countries to Keralam.
- •A former ISRO scientist who worked with A P J Abdul Kalam, he also served as a director of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation and chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
- •His play 'Melvilasom' was staged over 400 times and adapted into a film, and he was instrumental in popularizing light-and-sound shows in Keralam.
- •Recognized with numerous honors, including the Kerala Prabha in 2023, Krishnamoorthy's death comes just days before the scheduled start of this year's Surya Festival.
Key Questions Answered
Before turning fully to the world of creativity, Krishnamoorthy worked as a scientist with ISRO for more than two decades.
The Surya Festival was founded by Surya Krishnamoorthy in Thiruvananthapuram in 1977 and has grown into one of India's longest-running cultural festivals.
Krishnamoorthy wrote and directed the play 'Melvilasom', which was staged at more than 400 venues and later adapted into a film of the same name.
