Ezhuthachan Award Archives

T. PADMANABHAN

T. Padmanabhan was born in Kannur in 1931. He was an officer in FACT. He retired as Deputy General Manager in ’85. He has translated stories into almost all the languages of India and into Russian, French and German. His works include Sakhavu, Karuvannur, Navarasakathal, Gauriyum Mattu Kathakalum, Daya, Padmanabhante Kuttikal and Nalinakantiyum Mattu Kathakalum, etc.

He received the Vayalar Award in 2001 for the collection of stories called Puzha Kadhanu Marangalude Idayileku. He has received the Vallathol Award, the Lalithambika Antharjanam Smaraka Puraskar, the Muttathu Varkey Award and the Ezhuthachan Award in 2003. He has declined awards from the Sahitya Akademi, the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, and the Odakuzhal Award.

GEORGE ONAKKOOR

George Onakkoor was born in Onakkoor village, Muvattupuzha taluk, Ernakulam district. He did his schooling at Pampakkooda Government School and M.T.M. High School. Graduated in Economics from Muvattupuzha Nirmala College, Postgraduate in Malayalam Language and Literature from St. Burkumen’s College, Changanassery. Did his research in the Department of Malayalam, University of Kerala; M.Phil, Ph.D. degrees. He is an acclaimed novelist, story writer, literary critic, screenwriter, travel writer, college teacher and research professor. Architect of ‘Balakairali Encyclopedia’.

He is the recipient of the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for five years of distinguished service as the Director of the Institute of Children’s Literature, the Award for Best Art Literature Research Paper, the Euro-American First Pravasi Award for Best Indian Writer, Sahitya Akademi Awards (for novel and travelogue). Ezhuthachan Bhasha Award, Indira Gandhi Birth Centenary Award, Mother Teresa Award, Keshavadev Literary Award, Thakazhi Award, Sahitya Akademi, Kerala, were also received.

Visited France, Italy, England, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, the United States of America, Egypt, Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand. He served as the Head of the Malayalam Department of Mar Ivanios College, Director of the Literacy Committee. Served as Director of the State Children’s Literature Institute, Director of the Sarvaviyankakosham Institute, and Chairman of the State Resource Centre. He has written many books in the literary genres of novels, stories, travelogues, biographies, and literary criticism. Films include ‘Ulkadaal’, ‘Ente Neelakasham’, and ‘Yamanam’. He received the award as the story writer of ‘Yamanam’. Yordan Ozhunathu Evidekku, Akasa Uoonjal, Parvantangalile Kattu, The Sea Within, Ulkkadal.

SUGATHAKUMARI

Sugathakumari (1934–2020) was born in January 1934 and earned a Master’s degree in Philosophy. She served as the Principal of Jawahar Balabhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, editor of the children’s magazine Thalir, and Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission. She was also the founding secretary of both the Prakriti Samrakshana Samithi (Nature Conservation Society) and Abhaya, a shelter for women and the mentally ill. A celebrated poet and activist, she received numerous awards including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Pathirappookkal, the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Sahitya Pravarthaka Award for Rathrimazha, the Odakkuzhal Award, Asan Prize, Vayalar Award for Ambalamani, the Asan Memorial Committee (Madras) Award for Kurinjippookkal, the Vishwadeepam Award for Thulavarshappacha, Vallathol Award, Balamani Amma Award, P. Kunhiraman Nair Award, Lifetime Achievement Award for Children’s Literature, Basheer Award, V.T. Sahitya Award, Mathrubhumi Literary Award, Panampilly Pratibha Award, Sreesakthi Award, Abu Dhabi Malayali Samajam Award for Radhayevide?, Janmashtami Award for Krishnakavithakal, the Bhattia Award for social service, the Sacred Soul International Award, and India’s first Vrikshamitra Award from the Government of India for her work in environmental conservation. She also received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, Durga Bai Deshmukh Award (as secretary of Abhaya), the prestigious Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, and the Saraswati Samman. In 2006, the Indian government honored her with the Padma Shri. She passed away on December 23, 2020.

MADHAVIKKUTTY

Madhavikutty (1934–2009), later known as Kamala Surayya, was a renowned poet and writer. She was the daughter of the celebrated poet Nalappatt Balamani Amma and V. M. Nair, who was the Managing Editor of Mathrubhumi. Born on March 31, 1934, she wrote in both Malayalam and English. Over her literary career, she received numerous accolades, including the Asian Poetry Prize, Kent Award, Ashan World Prize, Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Short Story, Vayalar Award, and the prestigious Ezhuthachan Puraskaram. In 2001, she was honored with the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship. She passed away on May 31, 2009.

ZACHARIA

A distinguished writer and columnist, Zacharia is known for his works in both Malayalam and English. He has published over fifty works. And is backed with over twenty years of experience working in the Delhi Media and Publishing Industry. Zacharia is a Distinguished Fellow of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi and the recipient of several prestigious accolades such as the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award and the Ezuthachan Award for his contributions to Malayalam literature. Praise the Lord, Ayyappathinthakathom, Oru African Yathra and Bhaskarapattelarum Ente Jeevithavum are a few of his renowned works. Parakkum Sthree, a collection of short stories, is one among his most recent publications.

K SATCHIDANANDAN

An esteemed poet, K Satchidanandan is a paragon of excellence in the field of literature. His oeuvre spans across varied genres like poetry, drama, article and travelogue. Satchidanandan writes poetry and prose in both Malayalam and English. He has 24 collections of poetry to his credit besides four books of travel, a full length play and a collection of one-act plays, and many critical essays. He currently serves as the President of the Kerala Sahitya Academy. K Satchidanandan is the Festival Director of the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) 2025. Dukham Enna Veedu, Iruttile Pattukal, Pahadi oru Ragam Mathramalla, Marichupoya Muthashikku oru Kathu are a few of his works. K Satchidanandan is the recipient of several prestigious accolades like the Sahitya Akademi award, the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, the Ezhuthachan Award, the Vayalar Award, the UAE World Poetry Peace Prize and Knighthood from the Government of Italy.