Kerala Literary Awards
Ezhuthachan Award
The Ezhuthachan Award is the highest literary award given by the state government. The Ezhuthachan Award was instituted by the Kerala government in 1993 in memory of Thunchath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, known as the 'Father of the Malayalam Language'. This award is announced every year on November 1, the formation day of Kerala. This is the highest prize money literary award given by the Kerala government for comprehensive achievements in the field of literature. The award consists of five lakh rupees (Rs . 1.5 lakhs till 2016), a citation and a plaque. The first winner of the award is Sooranad Kunjan Pillai (1993).
Vallathol Award
Vallathol Narayana Menon is famous as a poet, Kathakali reformer and patriot. The Vallathol Award is an award given in his memory by the Vallathol Sahithya Samithi for comprehensive achievements in the Malayalam language. The prize money of this award, which is given for individual comprehensive achievements in the field of literature, is Rs. 1,11,111. The award also consists of a certificate of appreciation and a plaque. The Vallathol Literary Committee started giving the award in 1991. The first awardee was Pala Narayanan Nair ( 1991).
Vayalar Award
Vayalar Ramavarma is famous as a poet, film lyricist and drama lyricist. The Vayalar Award is an award instituted in his memory by the Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Trust in 1977. This award is given to the best work in Malayalam language literature every year. A committee consisting of writers and cultural personalities is responsible for deciding the winner of the award. The Vayalar Award was given since 1977. The award is given every year on October 27, the death anniversary of Vayalar. The award consists of one lakh rupees, a bronze sculpture designed by Kanayi Kunhiraman, and a certificate of appreciation. Lalithambika Antharjana received the first award for the work Agnisakshi.
Mathrubhumi Literary Award
The Mathrubhumi Literary Award is an award instituted by the Mathrubhumi weekly in 2000 to honour great writers in Malayalam. The Mathrubhumi Literary Award is one of the biggest literary awards in Kerala, given for comprehensive achievements in the Malayalam language. The prize money of this award, which is given for individual comprehensive achievements in the field of literature, is three lakh rupees. The award also includes a citation and a statuette. The Mathrubhumi Weekly Award was started in 2000. Thikodiyan (2000) was the first awardee.
Odakkuzhal Award
The Odakkuzhal Award was instituted by the great poet G. Shankarakurup in memory of his winning the Jnanpith for his poetry collection 'Odakkuzhal'. The Guruvayoorappan Trust (which was formed using a part of the amount received when he won the Jnanpith) has been giving the award since 1968. This award is given to the best work in Malayalam literature every year. A committee consisting of writers and cultural personalities selects the winner. Since 1978, the award has been given every year on February 2, the death anniversary of Shankarakurup . The award consists of thirty thousand rupees, a citation and a plaque. In 1969, Vennikulam Gopalakurup received the first award for his translation of Thulasidasa's Ramayanam.
Swathi Sangeetha Award
The Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram is the highest award instituted by the Kerala government for excellence in the field of music. It is given by the Kerala government in memory of Swathi Thirunal Maharaja. It is an award for outstanding overall contribution to the field of music. The winner is selected by an awards committee appointed by the Kerala government. The Swathi Puraskar was given since 1997. The award consists of a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh, a citation and a plaque.
The first Swathi Puraskar was won by Carnatic musician Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer in 1997 .
Padmaprabha Literary Award
M.K. Padmaprabha Gowder is famous as a freedom fighter, socialist leader and architect of modern Wayanad. The Padmaprabha Award is an award instituted by the Padmaprabha Foundation in 1996 in his memory. The prize money of this award, which is given for comprehensive contributions to Malayalam language literature, is Rs. 75,000. The award also includes a plaque with a padmaraga stone and a certificate of appreciation. This award has been given continuously since 1996. The first awardee is Puthur Unnikrishnan.
Muttathu Varkey Award
Muttathu Varkey was a popular writer in Malayalam literature. The Muttathu Varkey Award is an award instituted in his memory by the Muttathuvarkey Memorial Foundation in 1992. The prize money of this award is Rs. 50,000 for comprehensive contributions to Malayalam literature. The award also includes a plaque and a certificate of appreciation. This award has been given continuously since 1992. Every year, the winner of the award is announced on Muttathu Varkey's birthday, April 28, and the award is given on his death anniversary, May 28. O.V. Vijayan is the first winner of the award.
Asan Memorial Poetry Award
The great poet Kumaranasan was one of the modern poets of Malayalam literature. The Asan Memorial Poetry Award is an award instituted in his memory by the Asan Memorial Association (Chennai) in 1985. This award is given to honor the best poets in literature. The award consists of Rs. 50,000, a citation and a plaque. This award has been given continuously since 1985. C. Mani is the first awardee.
ONV Literary Award
O.N.V. Kurup was famous as a poet, film lyricist and drama lyricist. The ONV Literary Award is an award instituted by the ONV Cultural Academy in 2017 in his memory. This award is given to writers from across India for their comprehensive contributions in the field of literature. The award consists of a cash prize of Rs. 3 lakh, plaque and a citation. This award has been given continuously since 2017. Sugathakumari is the first award winner. Another literary award given by the ONV Cultural Academy is the ONV Yuva Sahitya Puraskar. The Yuva Sahitya Puraskar consists of a cash prize of Rs. 50,000, plaque and a citation.
ONV Memorial Award
O.N.V. Kurup was famous as a poet, writer and lyricist. The O.N.V. Memorial Award is an award instituted by the University of Kerala in 2018 in memory of him, who was a student and teacher at the University of Kerala. This award is given to honor the best writers in Malayalam language literature. The award consists of one lakh rupees, a plaque, and a certificate of appreciation. This award has been given continuously since 2018. Sugathakumari is the first award winner. In 2019, T. Padmanabhan and in 2020, K. Sachidanandan received the O.N.V. Memorial Award.
OV Vijayan Award
O.V. Vijayan is famous as a cartoonist, short story writer, novelist, columnist, political thinker and journalist. He was a writer who laid the foundation for modernity in Malayalam literature. The O.V. Vijayan Memorial Literary Awards are awards instituted by the O.V. Vijayan Memorial Committee in 2019 in his memory. The awards are given in three categories: collection of stories, novel, and youth story. The prize money is Rs. 25,000 for a collection of stories, Rs. 25,000 for a novel, and Rs. 10,000 for a youth story. The award also consists of a citation and a plaque. This award has been given continuously since
Thakazhi Literary Award
Thakazhi Sivashankara Pillai is famous as a short story writer, novelist and writer. Thakazhi, who excelled in describing the life and pain of a farmer is called the 'Storyteller of Kuttanad'. The Thakazhi Literary Award is an award instituted in his memory in 2014 by the Thakazhi Memorial Trust and the Department of Culture. This award is given to honor the best writers in Malayalam language literature. The award consists of Rs. 50,000, a citation and a plaque. This award has been given continuously since 2014.
Prof. G. Balachandran is the first award winner (work: Thakazhi's Sargapadangal). All awards after the first award are given as awards for comprehensive contribution to Malayalam literature.
Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan Award
Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan is known for his poetry, political activism, and cultural activities. The Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan Award is an award instituted by the Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan Foundation in 2015 in his memory. This award is given to honor the best writers in Indian language literature. The award consists of Rs. 55,555, a citation, and a plaque. This award has been given continuously since 2015.
The first awardee is O.N.V. Kurup.
Kaliyachchan Award
P. Kunhiraman Nair was a famous literary poet in Malayalam. The Kaliyachchan Award is an award instituted by the Mahakavi P. Kunhiraman Nair Foundation in 2015 in his memory. This award is given to those who have made comprehensive contributions to the field of literature. The award consists of Rs. 25,000, a citation and a statue. This award has been given continuously since 2015. Other awards given by the Mahakavi P. Foundation are the Samastha Keralam Novel Award, Nila Katha Award and Thamarathoni Award. The award consists of Rs.25,000, a plaque and a citation.
Harivarasanam Award
The Harivarasanam Award was instituted with the aim of honoring those who have promoted creative activities for interfaith brotherhood and harmony through music. The award is given considering the comprehensive contribution made to music in Ayyappa devotional songs sung in various languages and other plays and films. The award consists of one lakh rupees, a certificate of appreciation and a plaque. The Harivarasanam Award was instituted by the Kerala Government and the Devaswom Board in 2012. The Harivarasanam Award is announced every year ahead of the Makaravilakku festival in Sabarimala. K.J. Yesudas is the first awardee.
Cherukad Award
Cherukad Govinda Pisharodi is a famous novelist, playwright, poet, short story writer, political activist and cultural activist. The Cherukadu Award is an award instituted in his memory by the Cherukadu Memorial Trust, Perinthalmanna, in 1978. This award is given to the best work in various branches of Malayalam literature every year.
The award consists of Rs. 50,000, a citation and a plaque.
This award has been given continuously since 1978. In 1978, K.S. Namboothiri received the first award for his work Pathanam.
Basheer Award
Vaikom Muhammed Basheer is a famous novelist, short story writer and freedom fighter. The Basheer Award is an award instituted in his memory by the Vaikom Muhammed Basheer Memorial Trust, Thalayolaparamba in 2008. This award is given to the best work in various branches of Malayalam literature every year. The award consists of Rs. 50,000, a citation and a plaque. This award has been given continuously since 2008. The award is given
every year on Basheer's birthday, January 21. N. Prabhakaran received the first award in 2008 for his work 'Thiranjetutha Kathakal'.
Edasseri Award
Edasseri Govindan Nair was a poet, playwright, social activist, and lawyer.
The Edasseri Award is an award instituted in his memory by the Edasseri Memorial Committee in 1982. This award is given to the best work from various branches of Malayalam literature each year. The award consists of Rs. 50,000, a citation, and a plaque. If more than one person is deserving of the award, the award amount of Rs. 50,000 will be shared equally. This award has been given continuously since 1982. In 1982, N.K. Desam received the first award for his work Ullekham.
Malayattoor Award
Malayattoor Ramakrishnan was a renowned writer, administrator, cartoonist and filmmaker. The Malayattoor Award is an award instituted in his memory by the Malayattoor Memorial Committee in
2006. This award is given to the best work from various branches of Malayalam literature each year. The award consists of Rs. 25,000, a citation and a plaque. The Malayattoor Prize is an award instituted by the committee for outstanding young writers. The award consists of Rs. 25000, a citation and a plaque. The Malayattoor Award has been given continuously since 2006. In 2006, Perumpadavam Sreedharan received the first award for his work Narayanam.
P. Kesavadev Awards
P. Keshavdev was a renowned novelist, short story writer, playwright, freedom fighter, social reformer and labour movement activist. In his memory, the P. Kesavadev Literary Award and the P. Kesavadev Diabscreen Kerala Award were instituted by the Keshavdev Trust in 2005. The P. Kesavadev Literary Award is given for comprehensive contributions in the field of literature. The P. Kesavadev Diabscreen Kerala Award is given to workers in the health sector. The awards consist of Rs. 50,000, a citation and a plaque. The award has been given continuously since 2005. In 2005 , Dr. Indra babu received the first P. Kesavadev Literary Award.
Ulloor Memorial Literary Award
Mahakavi Ulloor S Parameswara Iyer was a
renowned poet, literary historian and researcher. The Mahakavi Ulloor Memorial Literary Award is an award instituted in 2017 to preserve the memory of Ulloor Service Cooperative Bank in Thiruvananthapuram. This award is given to the best work from various branches of Malayalam literature every year. Books published within the last three years are considered for determining the award. The award consists of Rs. 15,000, a citation anda plaque.
The Ulloor Memorial Literary Award has been given continuously. Prabha Varma received the first award for the work Aparigraham.
NjanappanaAward
Poonthanam was one of the prominent devotional poets who lived in Kerala. The Njanappana Award is an award given by the Guruvayur Devaswom Board in memory of his work Njanappana. This award is given to outstanding writers or cultural heroes who have made a comprehensive contribution to literature. The award consists of Rs. 50,001, a certificate of appreciation, and a plaque. The award is given continuously every year as part of the Poonthanam Day celebrations. In 2022 , K. Jayakumar received the award for comprehensive contribution to literature.
Padmarajan Award
P. Padmarajan was a renowned novelist, story writer and film director. The Padmarajan Award is an award instituted in his memory by the Padmarajan Memorial Trust in 1992. The award is given in the field of literature and the film industry. In the field of literature, the award is for the best short story and novel in Malayalam. In the literary awards, the prize money is Rs. 20,000 for the best novel and Rs. 15,000 for the best short story. In addition, the awards consist of a citation and a plaque. In the film industry, the award is given for the best film, direction and screenplay. The award has been given continuously since 1992. In 1992, M. Sukumaran received the first literary award for the short story Pitrutharpanam. In 1992, the film Deivathinte Vikrithikal won the first feature film award.
Thoppil Bhasi Award
Thoppil Bhasi was a renowned theatre and film director, playwright, screenwriter, actor and public activist. The Thoppil Bhasi Award is an award instituted by the Thoppil Bhasi Foundation in 2011 in his memory. The award is given for comprehensive achievements in the field of literature, film and theatre. The award consists of Rs 33,333, a citation and a plaque. The first awardee in 2011 was O.N.V. Kurup.
Balamani Amma Award
Balamani Amma was a famous poetess in Malayalam. The Balamani amma Award is an award instituted by the International Book Festival Committee in 2008 in memory of Balamani amma, who was known as the poetess of motherhood. This award is given to honor the best writers in Malayalam language literature. The award consists of Rs. 50,000, a citation and a plaque. This award has been given continuously since 2008.
Kakkanadan is the first awardee.
Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards
The Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards were established by the Thiru-Cochin Government on 15 August 1956 to promote Malayalam language and literature . In 1958, the headquarters were shifted from Thiruvananthapuram to Thrissur. The Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards were instituted by the Kerala Sahitya Akademi with the aim of awarding prizes to the best Malayalam books. The award is given to the best work in various branches of Malayalam literature of each year. The Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards were first given in 1958. The awards are given in the following categories: Poetry, Novel, Short Story, Drama, Criticism/Study, Biography/Autobiography, Non-fiction, Translation, Humorous, Travelogue, Children's Literature, Lifetime contribution and Fellowship. The awards consist of Rs. 25,000, a certificate and a plaque. The award for outstanding contribution carries a cash prize of Rs 30,000, a certificate, a plaque and a golden shawl. The award for Fellowship carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a gold medal weighing two pavan. Along with the main awards, the Kerala Sahitya Akademi also gives endowment awards.
Jnanpith
The Jnanpith or Jnanpith Award is the highest literary award in India. There is no other recognition in the field of literature that is more respected in the country in terms of award amount and prestige. Although it is the highest literary honor in India, the Jnanpith is not awarded by the central government or any state government: it is the Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust, owned by the Times of India group of newspapers. The Jnanpith Trust was formed on February 14, 1944. The Jnanpith was first awarded at the national level in 1965. The first person who got the Jnanpith Award was G. Shankarakurup, for the poetry collection 'Odakkuzhal'. The tradition of awarding the award for the best work ended in 1981. Since 1982 , the award has been given for the overall contribution of the selected writer, that is, for his entire works. From Malayalam, G.Sankarakurup received the award for 'Odakkuzhal' and S.K.Pottekkatt for 'Oru Desathinte Katha'. However Thakazhi, MT, ONV and Akkitham were awarded the Jnanpith for their combined literary contributions. Currently, six people have won the Jnanpith award from the Malayalam language.
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