A popular Malayalam lyricist and poet from Thrissur, Rafeeq Ahammed voluntarily retired from service while working in Employees State Insurance Service. He has won many awards including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Vyloppilli Award, Odakkuzhal Award and P Kunjiraman Nair Award. He has won the Kerala State Film Award for best lyrics four times. Rafeeq has published seven poetry collections and two children’s books. His noted books include Aalmara, Cheetukalikkar, Shivakami, Gramavrikshathile Vavval, Thoraamazha, Pattuvazhiyorathu, Swapnavangmoolam and Azhukkillam.