Novelist Ramakrishnan bags Vayalar Award

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Novelist T D Ramakrishnan has bagged the 41st Vayalar Rama varma Memori al Literature Award for his post-modern work `Sugandhi Enna Andal Devanayaki', which had won wide acclaim for its magical blend of myth, reality and fiction.
The award was announced by the Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Trust here on Sunday after the judging committee, comprising Thomas Mathew, Kerala Sahitya Academy secretary K P Mohanan and Anil Kumar, Malayalam professor with University Centre, Karyavattom, selected Ramakrishnan's novel from three shortlisted works.
Literary works belonging to various genres including fiction, poetry and literary criticism published during a period of five years ending on December 31, 2016 were considered for the award.
According to the trust secretary C V Thrivikraman, as many as 316 persons were asked to recommend three best literary works for the award, and there were a total of 112 respondents recommending a total of 110 works. Then, five works which secured most number of points were put for evaluation by 20 persons, and three among them got shortlisted for the final round.
Hailing from Iyyal near Kunnamkulam, Ramakrishnan rose to fame through his first novel Francis Itty Cora.
The award comprising a purse of Rs 1 lakh, a statuette in bronze sculpted by Kanayi Kunhiraman and citation will be presented on Vayalar Ramavarma's death anniversary that falls on October 27.
Critic and trust president M K Sanoo will present the award at the function to be held at Tagore Theatre here at 5.30pm.