Malayalam Literary Awards and the List of Important

Malayalam Literature Award Winners

Malayalam Literary Awards

Important Malayalam Literary Awards

Asan Poetry Prize

Ayyappan Puraskaram
Padmaprabha Literary Award
Balamani Amma Award Lalithambika Antharjanam
Smaraka Sahitya Award
Padmarajan Award
Basheer Award
Malayattoor Award
P. Kesavadev Literary Award
Cherukad Award
Mathrubhumi Literary
P. Kunhiraman Nair Award
Edasseri Award Award
Thanima Puraskaram
Ezhuthachan Award Muttathu Varkey Award
Thakazhi Award
Jnanpith Award Nooranad Haneef Award
Thoppil Bhasi Award
Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award Odakkuzhal Award
Ulloor Award
Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award O. N. V. Literary Award
Vallathol Award
Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan Award O. V. Vijayan Literary
Award
Vayalar Award
Kamala Surayya Award

Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award for Children's

Literature (Bal Sahitya Puraskar)
List of Important Malayalam Literature Award Winners
Jnanpith Award
Jnanapeedom Award is the most prestigious award among the literary awards in the country. It is
presented by the Bharatiya Jnanpith to an author for their ‘outstanding contribution towards literature’.
The awards were instituted in 1961, and is bestowed only on Indian writers writing in Indian languages.

The first recipient of the award was the Malayalam writer G. Sankara Kurup, in 1965 for his collection of
poems, Odakkuzhal. And, the first woman writer to recieve this award was Ashapoorna Devi, a Bengali
writer, in 1976.

The prize money for the Jnanpith Award is Rs. 11 lakh and a bronze replica of Hindu Goddess Saraswati.

Jnanpith Award - Malayali Award Winner Lists

Year Awardee Literary Works

1965 G. Sankara Kurup Odakkuzhal
1980 S. K. Pottekkatt Oru Desathinte Katha
1984 Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai Kayar
1995 M. T. Vasudevan Nair Overall Contribution For Overall contribution to
2007 O. N. V. Kurup Overall Contribution Literature
2019 Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri

Moortidevi Award
It is another annual literary award conferred by the Bharatiya Jnanpith.

Moorthidevi Awardees from Kerala

• 2009 - Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri

• 2013 - C. Radhakrishnan
• 2016 - M. P. Veerendra Kumar

Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award

The Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award was established in 1954, and the award comprises a plaque and a
prize money of Rs. 1,00,000/-. The award recognizes and promotes excellence in Indian writings and also
acknowledge new trends.
Year Awardee Literary Works
1955 1955 R. Narayanappanikkar Bhashacharitram
1956 1956 I. C. Chacko Paananeeya Pradyoditham
1957 Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai Chemmeen
1958 K. P. Kesava Menon Kazhinjakalam
1960 P. C. Kuttikrishnan Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum
1963 G. Sankara Kurup Viswadarshanam
1964 P. Kesava Dev Ayalkkar
1965 Balamaniamma Muthassi
1966 Kuttikrishna Marar Kala Jeevitham Thanne
1967 P. Kunhiraman Nair Thamarathoni
1969 Idasseri Govindan Nair Kavile Pattu
1971 M. T. Vasudevan Nair Kaalam
1971 Viloppilli Sreedhara Menon Vida
1972 S. K. Pottakkad Oru Desathinte Kadha
1973 Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri Balidarsanam
1974 Vennikkulam Gopala Kurup Kaamasurabhi
1975 O. N. V. Kurup Aksharam
1976 Cherukaadu Jeevithapatha
1977 Lalithambika Antharjanam Agnisaakshi
1978 Sugathakumari Raatrimazha
1979 N. V. Krishna Warrier Vallatholinte Kavyasilpam
1980 Dr. Punathil Kunjabdulla Smarakasilakal
1981 Vilasini Avakasikal
1982 V. K. N Payyankathakal
1983 Prof. S. Guptan Nair Theranjedutha Prabandhangal
1984 Dr. K. Ayyappa Panikkar Ayyappapanikkarude Kavithakal
1985 Dr. Sukumar Azhikkod Thathwamasi
1985 Kamaladas Theranjedutha Kavithakal (Eng.)
1986 Dr. M. Leelavathi Kavithadhwani
1987 Prof. N. Krishna Pillai Prathipaathram Bhashana Bhedam
1988 C. Radhakrishnan Spandamapinikale Nandi
1989 Olappamanna Nizhalana
1990 O. V. Vijayan Gurusaagaram
1991 M. P. Sankunni Nair Chathravum Chamaravum
1992 M. Mukundan Daivathinte Vikrithikal
1993 N. P. Muhammad Daivathinte Kannu
1994 Vishnu Narayanan Namboodiri Raappakalukal
1995 Thikkodiyan Arangukanaatha Nadan
1996 T. Padmanabhan Gowri
1997 Anand Govardhanante Yaathrakal
1998 Kovilan Thattakam
1999 C. V. Sreeraman Sreeramante Kadhakal
 2000 R. Ramachandran R. Ramachandrante Kavithakal
2001 Attoor Ravi Varma Attoor Ravi Varmayude Kavithakal
2002 K. G. Sankara Pillai K.G. Sankara Pillayude Kavitakal
2003 Sara Joseph Alahayude Penmakkal
2004 Paul Zachariah Zachariyayute Kathakal
2005 G. V. Kakkanadan Jappana Pukayila
2006 M. Sukumaran Chuvanna Chinnangal
2007 A. Sethumadhavan Adayalangal
2008 K. P. Appan Madhuram Ninte Jeevitham
2009 U. A. Khader Thrikottoor Peruma
2010 M. P. Veerendra Kumar Haimavatha Bhoovil
2011 M. K. Sanu Basheer: Ekanthaveedhiyile
Avadhuthan
2012 K. Satchidanandan Marannu Vecha Vasthukkal
2013 M. N. Paloor Kadhayillathavante Kadha
2014 Subhash Chandran Manushyanu Oru Aamukham
2015 K. R. Meera Aarachar
2016 Prabha Varma Shyamamadhavam
2017 K. P. Ramanunni Daivathinte Pusthakam
2018 S. Ramesan Nair Guru Pournami
2019 V. Madhusoodanan Nair Achan Piranna Veedu

Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award for Children's Literature (Bal Sahitya Puraskar)

Year Awardee Literary Works

2010 Sippy Pallippuram Oridath Oridath Oru Kunjunni
2011 K. Pappootty Chiruthakkuttiyum Mashum
2012 K. Sreekumar Total Contribution to Children's
2013 Leela Nambudiripad (Sumangala) Literature
2014 K. V. Ramanathan
2015 S. Sivadas
2016 N. P. Hafiz Mohamad Kuttippattalathinte Keralaparyadanam
2017 S. R. Lal Kunhunniyude Yathrapusthakam
2018 P. K. Gopi Olachoottintte Velicham
2019 Malayath Appunni Overall contribution to Literature

Ezhuthachan Puraskaram
Ezhuthachan award is the highest literary honour, given by the Kerala Sahitya Akademi.

The award is named after the father of the Malayalam language, Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan.

The prize money prize of Rs. 5,00,000 and a citation will be given to the winner.
Year Awardee
1993 Sooranadu Kunhan Pillai
1994 Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
1995 Balamaniamma
1996 Dr. K. M. George
1997 Ponkunnam Varkey
1998 M. P. Appan
1999 K. P. Narayana Pisharadi
2000 Pala Narayanan Nair
2001 O. V. Vijayan
2002 Kamala Surayya
2003 T. Padmanabhan
2004 Sukumar Azhikkode
2005 S. Gupthan Nair
2006 V. V. Ayyappan (Kovilan)
2007 O. N. V. Kurup
2008 Akkitham Achuthanandan Namboodiri
2009 Sugathakumari
2010 M. Leelavathi
2011 M. T. Vasudevan Nair
2012 Attoor Ravi Varma
2013 M. K. Sanu
2014 Vishnu Narayanan Namboodiri
2015 Dr. Puthussery Ramachandran
2016 C. Radhakrishnan
2017 K. Sachidanandan
2018 M. Mukundan
2019 Anand
2020 Paul Zacharia

Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards for Novels

Year Awardee Literary Works
1993 K. L. Mohana Verma Ohari
1994 K. J. Baby Mavelimannan
1995 K. P. Ramanunni Sufi Paranja Katha
1996 T. V. Kochubava Vridhasadanam
2013 K. R. Meera Aarachaar
2014 T. P. Rajeevan KTN Kotoor Ezhuthum
Jeevithavum
2015 U. K. Kumaran Thakshankunnu Swaroopam
2016 T. D. Ramakrishnan Sugandhi Enna Andal
Devanayaki
2017 V. J. James Nireeshwaran
 2018 K.V. Mohankumar Ushnarashi

Vallathol Award
Vallathol Award was instituted in 1991 in the memory of Vallathol Narayana Menon, one of the modern
triumvirate poets (Adhunika kavithrayam) of Malayalam poetry. The prize includes a cash prize of ₹
1,11,111 and a plaque.

Year Awardee
1991 Pala Narayanan Nair
1992 Sooranadu Kunhan Pillai
1993 Balamaniyamma, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer
1994 Ponkunnam Varkey
1995 M. P. Appan
1996 Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
1997 Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri
1998 Dr. K. M. George
1999 S. Guptan Nair
2000 P. Bhaskaran
2001 T. Padmanabhan
2002 Dr. M. Leelavathy
2003 Sugathakumari
2004 K. Ayyappa Panicker
2005 M. T. Vasudevan Nair
2006 O. N. V. Kurup
2007 Sukumar Azhikode
2008 Puthussery Ramachandran
2009 Kavalam Narayana Panicker
2010 Vishnu Narayanan Namboodiri
2011 C. Radhakrishnan
2012 Yusuf Ali Kechery
2013 Perumbadavam Sreedharan
2014 P. Narayana Kurup
2015 Anand
2016 Sreekumaran Thampi
2017 Prabha Varma
2018 M. Mukundan
2019 Paul Zacharia
Vayalar Award
Vayalar awardhas been instituted 1977 by the Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Trust in memory of the
poet and lyricist Vayalar Ramavarma

Award money is Rs. 100,000 along with a silver plaque

Year Awardee Literary Work

1977 Lalithambika Antharjanam Agnisakshi
1978 P. K. Balakrishnan Ini jnan Urangatte
1979 Malayattoor Ramakrishnan Yanthram
1980 Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai Kayar
1981 Vailoppilli Sreedhara Menon Makarakoithu
1982 O. N. V. Kurup Uppu
1983 M. K. Menon (Vilasini) Avakasikal
1984 Sugathakumari Ambalamani
1985 M. T. Vasudevan Nair Randamoozham
1986 N. N. Kakkadu Sabhalameeyathra
1987 Prof. N. Krishna Pillai Prathipathram Bhashanabhedam
1988 Thirunellur Karunakaran Thirunellur Karunakarante Kavithakal
1989 Sukumar Azhikkod Thathwamasi
1990 C. Radhakrishnan Munpe Parakkunna Pakshikal
1991 O. V. Vijayan Gurusagaram
1992 Prof. M. K. Sanu Changambuzha-Nakshathrangalude
Snehabhajanam
1993 Anand Marubhoomikal Undakunnathu
1994 K.Surendran Guru
1995 Thikkodiyan Arangau Kanatha Nadan
1996 Perumbadavam Sridharan Oru Sangheerthanam Pole
1997 Madhavikutty Neermathalam Pootha Kalam
1998 S.Guptan Nair Srishtiyum Srashtavum
1999 Kovilan Thattakam
2000 T.Padmanabhan Puzha Kadannu Marangalude
Idayilekku
2001 M. V. Devan Devaspandanam
2002 Dr. K. Ayyappapanicker Ayyappapanickerude Krithikal
2003 M. Mukundan Kesavante Vilapangal
2004 Sara Joseph Alahayude Penmakkal
2005 K. Sachidanadan Sakshyangal
2006 Sethu Adayalangal
2007 M. Leelavathy Appuvinte anweshanam
2008 M. P. Veerendrakumar Haimavathabhuvil
2009 Thomas Mathew Marar Lavanyabhavathinte Yukthi
Silpam
2010 Vishnu Narayanan Namboodiri Charulatha
 2011 K. P. Ramanunni Jeevithathinte Pusthakam
2012 Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri Anthimahakalam
2013 Prabha Varma Shyamamadhavam
2014 K. R. Meera Aarachaar
2015 Subhash Chandran Manushyanu Oru Aamukham
2016 U. K. Kumaran Thakshankunnu Swaroopam
2017 T. D. Ramakrishnan Sugandhi Enna Andal Devanayaki
2018 K. V. Mohan Kumar Ushnarashi
2019 V. J. James Nireeshwaran
2020 Ezhacherry Ramachandran Oru Virginian Veyilkaalam

Mathrubhumi Literary Award

Mathrubhumi Sahitya Puraskaram is instituted in 2001 by leading Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi.

The prize money for the award is Rs. 3 lakhs, a plaque and citation constitute the award

• 2018 – N S Madhavan
• 2019 – U A Khader
• 2020 – K Sachidanandan

Muttathu Varkey Award

This award is instituted by the Muttattu Varkey Foundation in memory of novelist Muttathu Varkey.

The award consists of prize money of Rs. 50000, a citation, and a statuette.

• 2018 – K R Meera (Aarachaar)

• 2019 – Benyamin (Aadujeevitham)

Odakkuzhal Award
• 2018 – E V Ramakrishnan (Malayala Novelinte Desakaalangal)
• 2019 – N Prabhakara (Mayamanushyan)

Padmaprabha Literary Award

Padmaprabha Literary Award was instituted in memory of freedom fighter and socialist Padmaprabha.

Award carries a purse of Rs 75,000, a gem-studded ring and plaque

• 2018 – Kalpetta Narayanan

• 2019 – Santosh Echikkanam
• 2020 –SreeKumaran Thampi
ONV Literary Award
ONV Awards are given annually by O. N. V. Cultural Academy from 2017. The prize money for the award
is Rs. 3 lakhs.

• 2018 – M T Vasudevan Nair

• 2019 – Akhitham Achyuthan Namboodiri

• 2020 – M Leelavati

Ayyappan Puraskaram
The Ayanam – A. Ayyappan Poetry Award was instituted by Ayanam Samskarika Vedi (Ayanam Cultural
Forum) in the memory of celebrated Malayalam poet A. Ayyappan.

Year Awardee Literary Works

2011 Vijayalakshmi Vijayalakshmiyude Kavithakal
2012 P. N. Gopikrishnan Idikkaloori Panampattadi
2013 Kalpatta Narayanan Oru Mudanthante Suvishesham
2014 K. R. Tony Plamenammayi
2016 Veerankutty Veerankuttyude Kavithakal
2017 Kureepuzha Sreekumar Uppa
2018 K. V. Baby K. V. Babyude Kavithakal
2019 P. Raman Rathri Pantrandarakku Oru Tharattu

Balamani Amma Award

Year Awardee
2008 Kakkanadan
2011 C. Radhakrishnan
2012 Yusuf Ali Kechery
2013 P. Valsala
2014 M. T. Vasudevan Nair
2015 C. Balakrishnan
2017 K. L. Mohana Varma
2018 Sreekumaran Thampi
2019 T. Padmanabhan[

Basheer Award
Basheer Award was instituted by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer Smaraka Trust and consists of a prize
money of Rs. 25,000, certificate of merit and a plaque designed by C. N. Karunakaran.

Year Awardee Literary Works

2008 N. Prabhakaran Thiranhedutha Kathakal (
2009 Rafeeq Ahammed Aalmara
2010 Sarah Joseph Ooru Kaaval
2011 B. Rajeevan Vakkukalum Vasthukkalum
2012 N. S. Madhavan Ente Priyapetta Kathakal
2013 Attoor Ravi Varma Attoor Kavithakal
2014 Subhash Chandran Manushyanu Oru Aamukham
2015 Kalpatta Narayanan Kavithayude Jeevacharithram
2016 Ashitha Ashithayude Kathakal
2017 Sebastian Prethi Shareeram
2018 V. J. James Nireeshwaran
2019 T. Padmanabhan Maraya

Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan Award

The awards consist of a proze money of Rs. 55,555/- and a citation

Year Awardee
2015 O. N. V. Kurup
2016 Ashok Vajpeyi
2017 V. Madhusoodanan Nair
2018 Chandrashekhara Kambara
2019 Sugathakumari
2020 K. G. Sankara Pillai

Kamala Surayya Award

Year Awardee Literary Works
2010 Savithri Rajeevan Savithri Rajeevante Kavithakal
Vaisakhan Silencer
2011 K. G. Sankara Pillai Orma Kondu Thurakkavunna
Vathilukal
Punathil Kunjabdulla Ente Kamukimarum Mattu
Kathakalum
2012 O. N. V. Kurup Dinantham
M. Mukundan Delhi Gadhakal

Lalithambika Antharjanam Smaraka Sahitya Award

The award, instituted in the memory of Lalithambika Antharjanam, is given in two categories: one for
Lifetime Contribution to Malayalam Literature and the other for Best Young Woman Writer.

Year Awardee
1992 Vaikkom Muhammad Basheer, B. M. Suhara
1993 Balamani Amma, Vijayalakshmi
1994 Sukumar Azhikode, Ashita
1995 S. Guptan Nair, Gracy
1996 Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri, Shobha Warrier
1997 N. P. Mohammed, K. P. Sudheera
1998 T. Padmanabhan, S. Lakshmi Devi
1999 M. Leelavathi, Rosemary
2000 K. T. Muhammed, Geetha
2001 Sugathakumari, Prameela Devi
2002 Ponkunnam Varkey, Mayadevi
2003 M. T. Vasudevan Nair, A. S. Priya
2004 C. Radhakrishnan, K. R. Meera

Malayattoor Award
The literary prize was instituted in 2006 by Malayattoor Smaraka Samithi in the name of writer
Malayattoor Ramakrishnan.

Award consists of a cash prize of Rs. 25,000, a citation, and statuette.

Year Awardee Literary Works

2006 Perumbadavam Sreedharan Narayanam
2007 K. P. Ramanunni Jeevithathinte Pusthakam
2010 N. Prabhakaran Janakatha
2012 Unnikrishnan Thiruvazhiyode Rathi Rathya
2013 Prabha Varma Shyama Madhavam
2015 V. Madhusoodanan Nair Achchan Piranna Veedu
2016 T. D. Ramakrishnan Sugandhi Enna Andal
Devanayaki
2017 Satheesh Babu Payyanur Khamarunnisayude Koottukari
2018 Zacharia Then
2019
2020 George Onakkoor Hridaya Raagangal
Nooranad Haneef Award
The literary prize is instituted in the name of writer Nooranad Haneef.

The awards consist of a cash prize of ₹ 25,001 and citation and is given for writers under the age of 45.

Year Awardee Literary Works

2011 V. M. Devadas Pannivetta
2012 E. Santhosh Kumar -
2013 K. R. Meera Aarachaar
2014 Benyamin Manjaveyil Maranangal
2015 Susmesh Chandroth Paper Lodge
2016 Shemi Nadavaziyile Nerukal
2017 Sangeetha Sreenivasan Acid
2018 Sonia Rafeeq Herbarium
2019 G. R. Indugopan Padinjare Chorakkalam
Kollam
2020 V. Shinilal Sambarkkakranthi

P. Kunhiraman Nair Award

Year Awardee Literary Works
1997 K. Satchidanandan Malayalam
1998 Prabha Varma Chandana Nazhi
1999 Puthussery Ramachandran Utsava Bali
2000 Desamangalam Ramakrishnan Maravi Ezhuthunnathu
2001 Vijayalakshmi Mazhathan Mattetho Mukham
2002 O. N. V. Kurup Ee Purathana Kinnaram
2003 D. Vinayachandran Samasthakeralam P. O.
2004 Chemmanam Chacko Ottayal Pattalam
2005 Attoor Ravi Varma Attoor Ravi Varmayude
Kavithakal – Bhaagam 2
2006 K. Ayyappa Paniker K. Ayyappa Panikerude
Kavithakal
2007 Sugathakumari Manalezhuthu
2008 Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri Uttarayanam
2009 P. K. Gopi Sushumnayile Sangeetham
2010 Ettumanoor Somadasan Jalasamadhi
2011 C. Radhakrishnan NA
2012 Attoor Ravi Varma NA
2013 P. P. Ramachandran Katte Kadale

Thanima Puraskaram
 Year Awardee Literary Works
2009 Jayarathnam Paatyam Six Days More
2010 Rasheed Parakkal Oru Thakkali Krishikkarante Swapnangal
2011 J. Anil Kumar Bibleil Krishnan, Mayilppeeli, Pranayam
2012 Sulfikar Marannu Vacha Kudakal
2013 Dr. B. Balachandran Keraleeya Vasthra Paramparyam
2014 Radhakrishnan Perambra Red Alert
2015 E. M. Sakeer Hussain Jerusaleminte Suvisheham
2016 Abubakkar Kappadu Chollum Chelum
2017 Dr. K. T. Jaleel Malabar Kalapam Oru Punar Vayana
2018 V. N. Prasannan P. Gangadharan: Nishkasithanaya Navothana Nayakan

2019 Prasanth Babu Kaithapram Derappan

Thakazhi Award
The award was instituted in 2014 by Thakazhi Smaraka Samiti and Department of Cultural Affairs,
Government of Kerala in the memory of renowned writer Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai.

The award money is Rs. 50,000/-, a citation and a plaque.

The first award was received by Prof. G. Balachandran for his work Thakazhiyude Sargapadhangal.

Except for the inaugural award, the award has been given for a writer's overall contributions to
Malayalam literature.

Year Awardee
2014 G. Balachandran
2015 M. T. Vasudevan Nair
2016 C. Radhakrishnan
2017 Not Applicable
2018 T. Padmanabhan
2019 Not Applicable
2020 Sreekumaran Thampi

Thoppil Bhasi Award

The award consists of a prize money of Rs.33,333/-, a sculpture and a citation.

Year Awardee
2011 O. N. V. Kurup
2012 K. P. A. C. Lalitha
2013 Thomas Jacob
2015 Kavalam Narayana Panicker
2016 Puthussery Ramachandran
2017 Nedumudi Venu
2018 Raghavan
2019 Manoj Narayanan