Thiruvananthapuram | Renowned Malayalam scholar and former MLA Nabeesa Ummal died at her residence in nearby Nedumangadu on Saturday, family sources said.

She was 92.

A well-known orator and scholar, Ummal was the first woman from the Muslim community to receive a master's degree in Malayalam in the southern state.

She had served as a professor and principal in various government colleges before retiring from the service in 1986.

Ummal also had the recognition of being the first Malayalam scholar after legendary poet-scholar A R Raja Raja Varma to become the department head and principal of the famed Government University College here.

A Left sympathiser, Nabeesa Ummal had won from the Kazhakoottam constituency here as an independent candidate backed by CPI(M) during the assembly polls in 1987.

However, she lost to late communist leader M V Raghavan in 1991 assembly poll.

In his condolence message, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said Ummal's contributions to public service and education will be long remembered.

"Heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Prof #Nabeesa Ummal, well known teacher,orator and former MLA. Her contributions to public service and education will be long remembered. May her soul rest in peace", he tweeted.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled her death and said Ummal had been a beloved teacher of several students in various government colleges across the state.

Hailing her various contributions, the CM also recalled that she was a Left sympathiser.