Obituaries Current Affairs July 2026

On 15 July 2026, renowned Nokkuvidya Pavakkali exponent Moozhikkal Pankajakshi passed away in Koothattukulam, Kerala, at the age of 90. She was born on 14 March 1936 at Urulikunnath, Pala, in Kottayam district, Kerala. Art form: Nokkuvidya Pavakkali is a rare traditional Kerala puppetry art in which the performer balances and manipulates puppets on a stick held in the mouth. She began learning the art from her mother, Paappiyamma, at the age of 11, and was regarded as its last major exponent. Honours: She was awarded the Padma Shri, India's 4th-highest civilian award, in 2020 for her contribution to Arts. She also received the Kerala Folklore Academy Fellowship in 2012. Legacy: She took the traditional art form from rural Kerala to international platforms, including performances at cultural festivals in Paris, France.

Legendary playback singer S. Janaki (Sistla Sreeramamurthy Janaki), the "Nightingale of South India", passed away at 88 in Mysuru, Karnataka. Born 23 April 1938 in Repalle, Guntur (AP), she recorded over 48,000 songs in nearly 20 languages across a six-decade career (1957–2017). She won 4 National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer and 33 State Film Awards, and famously declined the Padma Bhushan in 2013.

Renowned Tamil writer Poomani - the pen name of Poolithurai Manickavasagam - passed away on 12 July 2026 at the age of 79 due to age-related illness in Chennai. Born in 1947 at Andipatti near Kovilpatti (Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu), he was one of the most significant voices in Tamil literature, chronicling the lives of people in the state's dryland (karisal) regions. He won the Sahitya Akademi Award (2014) for his novel Anjaadi (Agnaadi), and his novel Vekkai was adapted into the acclaimed 2019 film Asuran (directed by Vetrimaaran, starring Dhanush). Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay announced state honours for his final rites. His novel 'Vekkai' inspired the National Award-winning film 'Asuran'.

Sir Garfield Sobers, the legendary West Indies cricketer widely regarded as the greatest all-rounder in cricket history, passed away on 17 July 2026 in Saint Michael, Barbados, at the age of 89. He was born on 28 July 1936 in Bridgetown, Barbados. Career: A left-handed batter, versatile left-arm bowler and exceptional fielder, Sobers played 93 Tests (1954-1974) for the West Indies, scoring 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78 and taking 235 wickets. Records: He scored a then-world-record 365 not out against Pakistan in 1958; became the first cricketer to hit six sixes in an over in first-class cricket (1968); and captained the West Indies in 39 Tests between 1965 and 1972. Honours: Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975; named among Wisden's Five Cricketers of the 20th Century (2000); inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame (2009). The Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy is awarded annually to the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year.

Sir Garfield "Garry" Sobers, widely regarded as the greatest all-rounder in cricket history, died on 17 July 2026 at the age of 89. Born on 28 July 1936 in Barbados, he represented the West Indies. Across 93 Tests he scored 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78 and took 235 wickets. In 1958 against Pakistan he made 365 not out, then a world-record individual Test score, and was famed for hitting six sixes in a single over in first-class cricket (1968).