SUGATHAKUMARI
Author Award: Ezhuthachan Award
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.