KOCHI
: This year's
Vayalar Ramavarma Award
instituted by a trust in the name of the late poet and lyricist has run into a controversy with
M K Sanoo
, the president of the body, resigning from it, allegedly, protesting the 'rigging' of the award.
Sources close to Sanoo, a prominent literary critic, said the resignation was in protest against the move to award the autobiography 'Thilacha mannil kalnadayaayi' by
Ramachandran Puthusserry
.
Sanoo allegedly objected this as there were works far superior than it, including 'Nireeswaran' a novel by V J James, and 'Ilathumbile vajradaaham', a collection of poems by Ezhacherry Ramachandran. These works earned more points than that of Puthussery in the list of three shortlisted works sent to judging committee.
Puthussery, who is tipped to receive the award, is a widely-acclaimed poet, language researcher and long-time communist co-traveller. The award, which carries a purse of Rs 1 lakh, plaque and citation, was to be announced on September 28.
Sanoo confirmed that he resigned from the trust but said his letter did not mention any particular reason other than his inability to associate with its activities due to ill health.
Trust secretary C V Thrivikraman confirmed Sanoo's resignation but termed the allegations baseless. "If someone reveals the names of works and the writers that were considered for the award I consider it as hitting below the belt. When the awards are announced we reveal only the book which won the award. We don't mention other writers who were considered," said Thrivikraman.
Thrivikraman said they follow a rigorous process of selection. "We initially solicit opinions of at least 150 people regarding the five books to be shortlisted. Then 20 writers and critics would be asked to give a review note on these books. Three works selected based on their opinion is sent to a judging committee," he said.
Other members of the trust are G Balachandran, Perumbadavam Sreedharan, K Jayakumar, C Gowridasan Nair, Vayalar Sharatchandravarma and B Satheesan.