Literary award winners from Kerala
Awards are recognitions given to an individual or institution for excellence in certain field. Read in this article about the most important literary awards, Jnanapith award, Vayalar Ramavarma award, Vallathol Award, Ezhuthachan Award, Muttathu Varkey Award and Sahitya Academy Awards
A brief description of these awards and the recipients of these awards are illustrated in this article. Jnanapith Award
Instituted during May 1961, by Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain, the founder of the Bjaratiya Jnanapith. The award is given to the best literary writing Indian citizens. Award carries cash prize of Rs 7 lakhs, citation and a bronze replica of Goddess Saraswathi.
Recipients of Jnanapith Award
1965 – G Sankara Kurup- Odakkuzhal
1980 – SK Pottakkad – Oru Desathinte Kadha
1984 – Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai – Kayar
1995 – MT Vasudevan Nair – Randamoozham
2007 – ONV Kurup –Poetry collectionsVayalar Ramavarma Award
Rama Varma, Scion of a royal family born on 25 Mar 1928 in Vayalar, a place near Alappuzha. Later fought against caste and creed discrimination prevalent in Kerala during his time as a member in communist movement. Wrote more than 2000 songs for over 200 malayalam films. Died on 27th October 1975. The Vayalar Ramavarma Award is introduced in his name during 1977 by the Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Trust. The award carries a sum of Rs 25,000/-, a silver plate and citation. The award is presented during October 27, being his death anniversary.
Recipients of Vayalar Ramavarma Award:
1977 – Lalithambika Antharjanam – Agnisakshi
1978 – PK Balakrishnan – Ini njan urangatte
1979 – Malayattoor Ramakrishnan – Yanthram
1980 – Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai – Kayar
1981 – Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon – Makarakoithu
1982 – ONV Kurup – Uppu
1983 – MK Menon – Avakasikal
1984 – Sugathakumari – Ambalamani
1985 – MT Vasudevan Nair – Randamoozham
1986 – NN Kakkadu – Sabhalamee yathra
1987 – N Krishna Pillai – Prathipathram Bhashanabhedam
1988 – Thirunalloor Karunakaran – Thirunelloor Karunakarante Kavithakal
1989 – Sukumar Azhikkod – Thathwamasi
1990 – C Radhakrishnan – Munpe Parakkuna Pakshikal
1991 – OV Vijayan – Gurusagaram
1992 – MK Sanu – Changampuzha Nakshathrangalude Shehabhajanam
1993 – Ananad – Marubhoomikal Undakunnathu
1994 – K surendran – Guru
1995 – Thikkodiyan – Arangu Kanatha Nadan
1996 – Perumbadavam Sridharan – Oru Sangeerthanam Pole
1997 – Madhavikkutty – Neermathalam Pootha Kalam
1998 – Kovilan – Thattakam
2000 – T Padmanabhan – Puzha Kadannu Marangalude Idayilekku
2001 – MV Devan – Devaspandanam
2002 – K Ayyappa Panicker – Ayyappapanickarude krithikal
2003 – M Mukundan – Kesavante Vilapangal
2004 – Sarah Joseph – Alahayude Penmakkal
2005 – K Sachidanandan – Sakshyangal
2006 – Sethu – Adayalangal
2007 – M Leelavathy – Appuvinte Anweshanam
2008 – MP Veerendra Kumar – Haimavathabhuvil
2009 – M Thomas Mathew – Marar Lavanyabhavathinte yuktishilpam
2010 – Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri – Charulatha.Vallathol Award
Vallathol Narayana Menon, popularly known as "Mahakavi". Borne in Malappuram district of Keral in 1878. Author of Sahithya Manjari. Got the title "Mahakavi" for his Mahakavyam "Chitrayogam". Vallathol Award is instituted by Vallathol Sahithya Samithi, in memory of Mahakavi Vallathol Narayana Menon and it carries a prize of Rs 1,11,111/- and a memento. He died during 1958.
Recipients of Vallathol Award:
1991 – Pala Narayanan Nair
1992 – Sooranad Kunjan Pillai
1993 – Balamaniyamma, Vaikon Muhammad Basheer
1994 – Ponkunnam varkey
1995 – MP Appan
1996 – Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
1997 – Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri
1998 – KM George
1999 – S Guptan Nair
2000 – P Bhaskaran
2001 – T Padmanabhan
2002 – M Leelavathi
2003 – Sugathakumari
2004 – Ayyappa Paniker
2005 – MT Vasudevan Nair
2006 – ONV Kurup
2007 – Sukumar Azhikode
2008 – Puthussery Ramachandran
2009 – Kavalam Narayana Panicker
2010 – Vishunarayanan NamboothiriEzhuthachan Award:
An award instituted for the highest literary honour by Kerala State Government. Named after Thunjathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, who lived during the 16th century, and is considered as the father of Malayalam literature. His original name was Ramanujan, and Ezhuthachan is the title indicating his caste. Thunjathu was his family name. As such he was popularly known as Thunjath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan. He was borne in Thrikkantiyur, in Malappuram Dist.
Recipients of Ezhuthachan Award:
1993 – Sooranad Kunjan Pillai
1994 – Thakazhi sivasankara Pillai
1995 – Balamani Amma
1996 – KM George
1997 – Ponkunnam Varkey
1998 – MP Appan
1999 – KP Narayana Pisharady
2000 – Pala Narayanan Nair
2001 – OV Vijayan
2002 – Kamala Surayya (Madhavikkutty)
2003 – T Padmanabhan
2004 – Sukumar Azhikkode
2005 – S Gupthan Nair
2006 – Kovilan
2007 – ONV Kurup
2008 – Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri
2009 – Sugathakumari
2010 – M LeelavathiMuttathu Varkey Award:
Muttathu Varkey was a Malayalam novalist and story writer who borne in Chethippuzha, a village near Kottayam Dist on 18 April 1913. He started his career as a teacher in Saint Berchmans High School, Changanassery. Most of his novels were adapted to Malayalam film. Muttathu Varkey award is instituted by The Muttathu Varkey Foundation, and being presented every year for excellence in literature. The award carries cash prize of Rs. 33,333/- , memento and a citation. He died on 28 May 1989.
Recipients of Muttathu Varkey Award:
1992 – OV Vijayan
1993 – Vaikom Muhammad Basheer
1994 – MT Vasudevan Nair
1995 – Kovilan
1996 – Kakkanadan
1997 – V.K.N.
1998 – M Mukundan
1999 – Punathil Kunjabdulla
2000 – Anand
2001 – NP Mohammed
2002 – Ponkunnam Varkey
2003 – Sethu
2004 – C Radhakrishnan
2005 – Paul Zacharia
2006 – Kamala Surayya
2007 – T Padmanabhan
2008 – M Sukumaran
2009 – NS Madhavan
2010 – P Valsala
2011 – Sarah JosephSahitya Academy Awards (Malayalam):
Sahithya Academy Award is the honor confers to Indian writers for their outstanding performance in literature. Established during 1954 with a plaque and cash prize of Rs 50,000/-. Later during 2009, the cash prize was increased to Rs 1,00,000/-.
Recepients of Sahithya Academy Awards:
1955 – R Narayanappanikkar – Bhashacharithram
1956 – IC Chacko Illiparambil – paananeeya pradyoditham
1957 – Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai – Chemmeen
1958 – KP Kesava Menon – Kazhinjakalam
1960 – PC Kuttikrishnan – Sundarikalum sundaranmarum
1963 – G Sankara Kurup – Viswadarshanam
1964 – P Kesava Dev – Ayalkkar
1965 – Balamani Amma – Muthassi
1966 – Kuttikrishna Marar – Kala Jeevitham Thanne
1967 – P Kunjiraman Nair – Thamarathoni
1969 – Idasseri Govindan Nair – Kavile Pattu
1971 – MT Vasudevan Nair – Kaalam
1971 – Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon – Vida
1972 – SK Pottakkad – Oru Desathinte Kadha
1973 – Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri – Balidarsanam
1974 – Vennikkulam Gopala Kurup – Kaamasurabhi
1975 – ONV Kurup – Aksharam
1976 – Cherukaadu – Jeevithapatha
1977 – Lalithambika Antharjanam – Agnisaakshi
1978 – Sugathakumari – Raatrimazha
1979 – NV Krishna Warrier – Vallatholinte Kavyasilpam
1980 – Punathil Kunjabdulla – Smarakasilakal
1981 – Vilasini – Avakasikal
1982 – VKN – Payyankathakal
1983 – S Gupthan Nair- Theranjedutha Prabandhangal
1984 – K Ayyappa Panikkar – Ayyappapanikkarude Kavithakal
1985 – Sukumar Azhikode – Thatwamasi
1985 – Kamaladas – Theranjedutha Kavithakal ( English)
1986 – M Leelavathi – Kavithadhwani
1987 – N Krishna Pillai – Prathipaathram Bhashana Bhedam
1988 – C Radhakrishnan – Spandamapinikale Nandi
1989 – Olappamanna – Nizhalana
1990 – OV Vijayan – Gurusaagaram
1991 – MP Sankunni Nair – Chathravum Chamaravum
1992 – M Mukundan – Daivathinte Vikrithikal
1993 – NP Muhammad – Daivathinte Kannu
1994 – Vishnu Narayana Nambudiri – Raappakalukal
1995 – Thikkodiyan – Arangukanaatha Nadan
1996 – T Padmanabhan – Gowri
1997 – Anand – Govardhanante Yaathrakal
1998 – Kovilan – Thattakam
1999 – CV Sreeraman – Sreeramante Kadhakal
2000 – R Ramachandran – R. Ramachandrante Kavithakal
2001- Attoor Ravi Varma – Attor Ravi Varmayude Kavithakal
2002 – KG Sankara Pillai – KG Sankara pillayude Kavithakal
2003 – Sarah Joshep – Alahayude Penmakkal
2004 – Paul Zacharian – Zachariyayude Kathakal
2005 – GV Kakkanadan – Jappanam Pukayila
2006 – M Sukumaran – Chuvanna Chinnangal
2007 – Sethu – Adayalangal
2008 – KP Appan – Madhuram Ninte Jeevitham
2009 – UA Khader – Thrikottoor Peruma
2010 – MP Veerendra Kumar – Haimavatha Bhoovil
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