Thiruvananthapuram | Renowned cultural organiser, playwright and former Sangeet Natak Akademi chairman Surya Krishnamoorthy died at a private hospital here on Wednesday, following treatment for pneumonia and other ailments, sources said.

He was 78.

Krishnamoorthy, who headed the cultural collective 'Surya' for nearly five decades, was the founder of the Surya Festival, one of India's longest-running cultural festivals.

The Surya festival, which began in Thiruvananthapuram in 1977, found a place in the Limca Book of Records and brought artists and performers from several countries to Keralam.

A former scientist with ISRO, Krishnamoorthy had worked with former President A P J Abdul Kalam.

He also served three times as a director of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation and was the former chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Krishnamoorthy made his mark in theatre as a playwright, director and organiser.

His play 'Melvilasom', which he wrote and directed, was staged at more than 400 venues and was later made into a film of the same name, for which he wrote the screenplay.

He was also credited with popularising light-and-sound shows in Keralam.

His contributions to the arts were recognised with several honours, including the Keralam government's 'Kerala Prabha' in 2023 and awards from the central and Kerala Sangeet Natak Akademis.

Chief Minister V D Satheesan, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and CPI(M) leader M V Govindan condoled his death.

Satheesan described Krishnamoorthy as a "multifaceted talent" who had placed Keralam's cultural map on the world stage.

"His life was a rare and beautiful combination of science and art," Satheesan said.

He recalled that Krishnamoorthy had served as an ISRO scientist for more than two decades before turning fully to the world of creativity.

Satheesan said the Surya Festival, which Krishnamoorthy started in Thiruvananthapuram in 1977, had grown into a major cultural festival, reaching more than 30 countries.

Krishnamoorthy died just days before this year's Surya Festival, scheduled to begin on October 1.