N. Purushothama Mallya, 97, Konkani language activist, author, and Padma Shri awardee, died following a short illness at his residence near TD Temple at Cheralayi on Friday (September 11).

He was the honorary secretary and founder of the Konkani Bhasha Prachar Sabha. He campaigned to make Konkani a national language and earn linguistic minority status for the Konkani community in Keralam. He is survived by his wife, Sarojini Bai, daughter Sushmitha Mallya Rao, and son Nagesh P. Mallya.