Ezhuthachan Puraskaram Winners List (1993-2025)

active

Published Sep 30, 2026 Updated Sep 30, 2026 1 min read

Overview Award Winners Official Website Award Chart FAQs

Name	Ezhuthachan Puraskaram
Award For	Outstand Literary Work in India
Award By	Kerala Sahitya Akademi and Government of Kerala
First Award	1993
First Awardee	Sooranad Kunjan Pillai
Last Award	2025
Last Awardee	K. G. Sankara Pillai
Total Awarded	33
Status	active
Official URL	https://keralasahityaakademi.org/

About Ezhuthachan Puraskaram

The Ezhuthachan Puraskaram is one of the highest literary honor awarded by the Kerala Sahitya Akademi in the Government of Kerala. The Ezhuthachan Puraskaram for 2025 was awarded to renowned poet and literary critic K. G. Sankara Pillai, and the formal presentation ceremony took place in January 2026. As of late 2026, the specific recipient for the 2026 award has not yet been announced by the Government of Kerala and the Kerala Sahitya Akademi (typically announced around November).

Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (1993-2025) Winners List

This Winners List features 33 winners of the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, from 1993 to 2025.

Image	Year	Winner Name	Gender	Profession

	2025	K. G. Sankara Pillai Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2002) , Odakkuzhal Award (2008)	male	Poet, academic
Modernist Malayalam poet and college teacher whose political poems like Bengal shaped a generation. He received the Kendra and Kerala Sahitya Akademi awards. He received the Odakkuzhal Award for Malayalam literature.
	2024	N. S. Madhavan Also won: Odakkuzhal Award (1994)	male	Writer, civil servant
Malayalam fiction writer and former IAS officer, known for the novel Lanthan Batheriyile Luthiniyakal and stories like Higuita. His work blends history, politics and humour. He received the Odakkuzhal Award for Malayalam literature.
	2023	S. K. Vasanthan	male	Writer, Academic
S. K. Vasanthan was a noted Malayalam scholar, critic, writer, researcher and teacher. His works covered Kerala’s cultural history, literature, novels, short stories and translation. He also guided generations of students and researchers.
	2022	Sethu (A. Sethumadhavan) Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2007) , Vayalar Award (2006) , Odakkuzhal Award (2012)	male	Novelist, banker
A. Sethumadhavan, Malayalam novelist from Chendamangalam, Ernakulam, who also chaired South Indian Bank and the National Book Trust. His novels include Pandavapuram and Adayalangal, winner of the Vayalar Award.
	2021	Parakkulathil Vatsala	female	Writer, Teacher
Parakkulathil Vatsala, popularly known as P. Vatsala, was a prominent Malayalam novelist, short story writer and social activist. Her writings often portrayed tribal communities, marginalized people, women and the social realities of Kerala.
	2020	Paul Zachariah Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2004) , Odakkuzhal Award (2003)	male	Fiction writer
Paul Zacharia is a Malayalam fiction writer known for satirical, bold stories such as Bhaskara Pattelarum Ente Jeevithavum, later filmed as Vidheyan. He received the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award.
	2019	Anand (P. Satchidanandan) Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1997) , Vayalar Award (1993) , Odakkuzhal Award (1996)	male	Novelist, civil engineer
P. Sachidanandan, Malayalam novelist from Irinjalakuda and a civil engineer with the Central Water Commission. His philosophical, humanist novels include Aalkkoottam and Marubhoomikal Undakunnathu, which won the Vayalar Award.
	2018	M. Mukundan Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1992) , Vayalar Award (2003) , ONV Kurup Literary Award (2026)	male	Novelist, short story writer
Malayalam novelist from Mahe who worked at the French Embassy in Delhi. Known for Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil, he received the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres and the JCB Prize.
	2017	K. Satchidanandan Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2012) , Vayalar Award (2005) , Odakkuzhal Award (2000)	male	Poet, critic, academic
Leading Malayalam modernist poet and bilingual critic from Thrissur. A former English professor and Sahitya Akademi secretary, he has published over thirty poetry collections translated into many languages.
	2016	C. Radhakrishnan	male	Novelist, scientist, journalist
Malayalam novelist and physicist from Chamravattam, Tirur, who also worked as a science journalist. His works include Munpe Parakkunna Pakshikal, winner of the Vayalar Award, and he received the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram.
	2015	Puthussery Ramachandran	male	Poet, Professor
Puthussery Ramachandran was a distinguished Malayalam poet, scholar, researcher and professor. Alongside poetry, he made important contributions to Malayalam language studies, Dravidian linguistics and Kerala history, and played a significant role in efforts that helped Malayalam gain classical-language status.
	2014	Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1994) , Vayalar Award (2010) , Odakkuzhal Award (1983)	male	Poet, professor, temple priest
Malayalam poet from Thiruvalla who taught English and later served as chief priest of Sreevallabha Temple. His poetry blends Indian tradition and modernity; he received the Padma Shri and Ezhuthachan Puraskaram.
	2013	M. K. Sanu Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2011) , Vayalar Award (1992)	male
	2012	Attoor Ravi Varma Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2001)	male
	2011	Madath Thekepat Vasudevan Nair	male	Novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter, and film director
Vasudevan was awarded the highest literary award in India, 31st Jnanpith, for his overall contribution to Malayalam literature. MT authored timeless novels like Kaalam (Time), Asuravithu (Seed of the Demon), Vilapam (The Dirge), Randamoozham (The Second Turn), and numerous short stories and novellas. His Randamoozham, published in 1984.
	2010	M. Leelavathy	female	Literary critic, professor
Eminent Malayalam literary critic and educationist from Thrissur, retired principal of Brennen College, Thalassery. Hailed as matriarch of Malayalam criticism, she received the Padma Shri and Ezhuthachan Puraskaram.
	2009	B. Sugathakumari	female	Malayalam poet, environmental and feminist activist
A celebrated Malayalam poet renowned for lyrical, spiritually resonant verse and for pioneering environmental activism in Kerala, including founding the Prakruti Samrakshana Samithi. Her notable collections include "Raathrimazha," "Ambalamani," and "Pathirappookal." She won the Saraswati Samman 2012 for her poetry collection "Manalezhuthu." She died from COVID-19 complications in December 2020.
	2008	Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri	male	Poet, essayist and social worker
Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri poet popularly known as Akkitham wins 55th Jnanpith Award. he is the 6th Malayalam writer who bagged the award. Poet G Sankara Kurup was the first Malayalam writer who won the award. Thakazhi, SK Pottekatt, MT Vasudevan Nair and ONV Kurup are the other Malayalam writers who bagged the award.
	2007	Prof. Ottaplakkal Neelakandan Velu Kurup	male	Malayalam poet, lyricist, and professor
O.N.V. Kurup have been chosen for the 43rd Jnanpith award in 2007. He was the fifth Jnanpith laureate from Kerala and the second Malayalam poet to win the award. According to a statement by Bharatiya Jnanpith, the trust which presents the award, Kurup began his career as a "progressive writer and matured into a humanist though he never gave up his commitment to socialist ideology".
	2006	Kovilan (V. V. Ayyappan) Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1998) , Vayalar Award (1999)	male	Novelist, short story writer, soldier
V. V. Ayyappan, Malayalam novelist from Guruvayur who served in the Royal Indian Navy and Indian Army. His war-influenced fiction includes Thottangal and Thattakam, which won the Vayalar Award.
	2005	S. Guptan Nair Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1983) , Vayalar Award (1998)	male	Literary critic, professor, editor
Malayalam scholar, critic and university professor who chaired the Kerala Sahitya Akademi. His literary essays and edited volumes shaped criticism; he received the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram. He taught at several colleges across Kerala.
	2004	Sukumar Azhikode Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1985) , Vayalar Award (1989)	male	Literary critic, orator, academic
Malayalam critic, orator and social commentator from Kannur who headed Calicut University's Malayalam department. His philosophical study Thathwamasi won the Vayalar and Kendra Sahitya Akademi awards. He was also a fiery public speaker and commentator.
	2003	T. Padmanabhan	male	Short story writer
Revered Malayalam short story writer from Pallikunnu, Kannur, often called the master of the Malayalam short story. His lyrical stories include Prakasam Parathunna Oru Penkutty and Gowri; won the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram.
	2002	Madhavikutty (Kamala Surayya) Also won: Vayalar Award (1997)	female	Poet, novelist, short story writer
Bilingual writer from Punnayurkulam, known as Kamala Das in English and Madhavikutty in Malayalam. Her candid autobiography My Story and memoir Neermathalam Pootha Kalam made her a feminist icon.
	2001	Ottupulakkal Velukkuty Vijayan	male	Novelist, short story writer, cartoonist
Malayalam novelist and political cartoonist from Palakkad whose Khasakkinte Itihasam transformed modern Malayalam fiction. He drew cartoons for national publications and received the Padma Bhushan and Ezhuthachan Puraskaram.
	2000	P. Narayanan Also won: Padma Vibhushan (2026)	male
	1999	K. P. Narayana Pisharody	male	Sanskrit scholar, teacher and writer
K. P. Narayana Pisharody was a renowned Sanskrit scholar, writer, translator and teacher who contributed extensively to Malayalam and Sanskrit literature. His works covered classical texts, Koodiyattam, poetry, biographies and literary scholarship. He received the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram in 2000.
	1998	M. P. Appan	male	Poet
M. P. Appan was a distinguished Malayalam poet and teacher known for his lyrical poetry and individual literary style. He developed the sonnet as an important form in Malayalam poetry and also produced acclaimed translations, including his work on Rubaiyat.
	1997	Ponkunnam Varkey	male	Writer, activist, teacher, freedom fighter
Ponkunnam Varkey was an influential Malayalam writer, poet, playwright, activist and freedom fighter. His short stories and plays addressed social injustice, corruption and human relationships, often focusing on ordinary rural people. He was also associated with Kerala’s progressive literary movement.
	1996	Dr. Karimpumannil Mathai George Also won: Padma Bhushan (2001)	male
	1995	Nalapat Balamani Amma Also won: Padma Bhushan (1987) , Sahitya Akademi Award (1965) , Saraswati Samman (1995)	female	Malayalam poet
A pioneering Malayalam poet, mother of writer Kamala Das, celebrated for verse centered on motherhood, domesticity, and womanhood, including collections "Amma" and "Muthassi." She won the 1995 Saraswati Samman for her poetry collection "Nivedyam." She also received the Sahitya Akademi Award, Padma Bhushan, and multiple honorary doctorates, and was a revered elder figure in Kerala's literary community until her death at age 95.
	1994	Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai	male	Novelist and short-story writer
Novelist Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai gets most coveted literary laurel 20th Jnanpith Award for 1984. Thakazhi's entire literary journey has been as a chronicler of the social struggles and sorrows of the lower classes in his native Kerala. But there is a stark and stunning universality in his protagonists, be they peasants or poachers. From his most famous Chemmeen (The Shrimp) to the most recent Kayar (Coir), each of his 35 novels and 500 short stories bears testimony to this.
	1993	Sooranad Kunjan Pillai	male	Indian researcher, lexicographer, poet
Sooranad Kunjan Pillai was a renowned Malayalam scholar, lexicographer, poet, critic, grammarian and educationist. He played a major role in compiling the Malayala Maha Nighantu and produced numerous scholarly works, textbooks and literary studies.