Kozhikode, September 10: Renowned novelist ‘Kovilan’ has been chosen for this year’s Literary award instituted by Malayalam daily, `The Mathrubhumi’.
The prestigious award that carries Rs 2 lakh prize money, a citation and plaque, goes to `Kovilan’ considering his contribution in enriching Malayalam literature, the Daily’s Managing Director M P Veerendrakumar and its Managing Editor P V Chandran said in a statement here today.
A highly rated writer, `Kovilan’ adopted a distinct style in most of his novels and short stories had created a new sensibility in Malayalam literature especially in his widely read works `Thattakam’ and `A minus B’.
The award jury, comprising eminent Malayalam writers C Radhakrishnan, M Mukundan and M N Karassery, lauded `Kovilan’s vivid and subtle portrayal of agonies faced by present day society taking ample cues from his own experience as an army man in various parts of the country.
`Kovilan’ whose real name was V V Ayyappan was born in 1923 at Kandanassery near the temple town of Guruvayur in Kerala’s Thrissur district.
His acclaimed novel `Thottangal’ (1972) and `Shakunam’ (1977), a compilation of short stories, were chosen for the `Kerala Sahitya Academy award while his widely read novel `Thattakam’ received `Kendra Sahitya Award’ in 1998.
He was also chosen for the `Ezhuthachan Puraskaram’ instituted by the Kerala government.
—Agencies