Odakuzhal Award Archives

NS MADHAVAN

N. S. Madhavan was born in Ernakulam. He received his IAS in 1975 and was a civil service officer. He is a prominent Malayalam writer and former civil servant, known for his sharp social and political commentary. A distinguished short story writer and novelist. Madhavan is credited with making a significant contribution to bringing short story literature back into the mainstream.

He is best known for his novel ‘Lanthanbatheriyile Luthiniyakal’ and several celebrated short stories, including ‘Higuita’, ‘Thiruthu’, ‘Chulaimedile Shavangal’, Panchakanyakakal, Bheemachan and ‘Vanmarangal Veezhumpol’. In addition to fiction, Madhavan writes columns on football and travel.

In 1970, his story ‘Shishu‘ won the first prize in the short story competition organised by Mathrubhumi for college students. He is a distinguished fellow of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi and has won numerous prestigious awards, including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi and Odakkuzhal award for his work Higuita, the Mulberry, Padmarajan and V.P. Sivakumar Memorial ‘Keli’ for best single stories, Muttathu Varkey Award, Mathrubhumi Literary Award, Crossword Book Award, and the Kerala State Students Federation Sahithyolsav Award. He was also selected three times for the ‘Katha’ Prize in Delhi.

CHANDRAMATHI

Chandramathi’s real name is Chandrika Balan. She has a doctorate in English literature. She was a professor of English at All Saints College, Thiruvananthapuram. She has received the Saint Burkmans Award for outstanding college teachers and the Sivaprasad Foundation Award. Her other works include Swayam, Swatanam, Thattarakudyile Vigrahangal, Vethala Kathagal (novelette), Perilla Prashanam (collection of essays) and Njan Oru Veedu (memoir). She was the joint editor of the collection Madhyakaala Malayalam Kavitha. She has received fifteen awards for her short story collections, including the Thoppil Ravi Foundation Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Keli Award, Katha National Prize, Odakuzhal Award, Padmarajan Award, and O. V. Vijayan Award.

K R MEERA

K R Meera is a distinguished author widely regarded as one of the leading voices in contemporary Malayalam literature. The English translation of Aarachar, titled Hangwoman, was shortlisted for the prestigious DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2016. Her stories and novels have also been translated into several languages. Ave Maria, Qabar, Suryane Aninja Oru Sthree, Yudasinte Suvishesham and Bhagavante Maranam are a few of her other esteemed publications. The author of the critically acclaimed Aarachar, she is the recipient of several prestigious accolades such as the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award, the Kendra Sahitya Academy Award, the Vayalar Award, the Odakuzhal Award, the Geetha Hiranyan Award and the P Padmarajan Memorial Award, amongst others.