MUMBAI: In an unusual, touching gesture, a group of 84 singers sang songs as a tribute to noted Malayalam poet and lyricist O N V Kurup at his funeral in Kerala on Monday.

It was a fitting send-off when the group sang songs penned by him at the state-owned Santhikavadam public crematorium that ONV, as he was known, had named.

Kurup was one of Kerala's most popular literary figures and one who penned numerous award-winning lyrics.

The music group comprised 84 singers to match the age of the noted poet and lyricist, who died at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.

The music troupe sang several popular songs penned by Kurup to a massive gathering, which comprised dignitaries including chief minister Oommen Chandy.

Also present were virtually the who's who in the political and cultural milieu of the state and included state ministers, legislators and thousands of people from various walks of life.

ONV was the face of the Malayalam cultural world through his works which fetched him the country's highest literary honour, the Jnanpith Award, in 2007.

A recipient of the Padma Shri and the Padma Vibhushan honours, besides numerous other literary awards, Kurup was also given National Film Awards and had 13 state film awards to his credit for his lyrics.

(Source: IANS)