Harivarasanam Award 2025 to Kaithapram Damodaran

Thiruvananthapuram: The Harivarasanam Award for 2025, associated with Sabarimala temple and given by state govt to recognize and honour works promoting interfaith harmony and equality, was awarded to Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri.The award includes a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, a certificate and a plaque. It will be presented at Sabarimala sannidhanam on the day of Makaravilakku, said Devaswom minister V N Vasavan on Wednesday.Kaithapram was selected for his efforts in music to establish Sabarimala and Swami Ayyappan in the public consciousness, along with his comprehensive contributions in various fields as lyricist, music director, screenwriter and actor, said Vasavan. The award selection committee included revenue (devaswom) special secretary Anupama T V, Travancore Devaswom Board commissioner Prakash C V and musician K Omanakutty.Kaithapram, who won the state film award for best lyricist in "Paitrukam" and "Azhakiya Ravanan", also received the state govt award twice for drama songwriting. He was awarded the state film award for best music director in 1997 for "Karunyam" and was honoured with the Padma Shri award in 2021.