Eminent novelist in Malayalam, C Radhakrishnan, has been chosen as the recipient of this year’s Ezhuthachan Award by the Kerala Sahitya Akademi. The award consists of a citation, a statuette and a cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakhs.
Considered the highest literary honour bestowed by the state government, it is named after Thunjathhu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan who is generally regarded as the father of the Malayalam language, and was first bestowed in 1993.
Born on 15 February 1939 at Ponnani in Malappuram, C Radhakrishnan is a writer of repute who prefers to don multiple roles of a teacher, journalist and a film director too. Through his prolific works, he attempts to bring in a union of arts and science in a literary world that captures the regional profile of the state.
Among his numerous literary outputs figure Tharanisha, Sukhurtham, Ullil Ullathu, Kaivazhikal, Karal Pilazhum Kaalam, Iniyoru Nizhakannu Chiri, Oru Villipaad Akaleh and Thevidissi. He has also directed four movies in Malayalam: Ottayadi Paathakkal, Kanalattam, Agni and Pushyaragam.
Radhakrishnan is the recipient of several other awards including the Murthidevi Award, Lalithambika Award, Vayalar Award and the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award.
Earlier in the year, the novelist was reportedly denied the Ezhuthachan Award, citing mounting pressure from the Akhila Kerala Ezhuthachan Samajam which threatened to sway the community vote against the then UDF government in the recently held Assembly elections in the state.
According to reports, the community was outraged by Radhakrishnan’s portrayal of Ezhuthachan as a Nair in ‘Theekadal Kadannju Thirumathuram’ –a fictional biography of the 16th century linguist and devotional poet.