Odakkuzhal Award Winners List (1969-2025)

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Published Sep 29, 2026 Updated Sep 29, 2026 1 min read

Overview Award Winners Official Website Award Chart FAQs

Name	Odakkuzhal Award
Award For	Outstanding work in Malayalam language
Award By	Guruvayoorappan Trust
First Award	1969
First Awardee	Vennikkulam Gopala Kurup
Last Award	2025
Last Awardee	E.P. Rajagopalan
Total Awarded	56
Status	active
Official URL	https://sgst.in/

About Odakkuzhal Award

The Odakkuzhal Award is an annual Indian literary honor given for an outstanding work in the Malayalam language. Renowned poet G. Sankara Kurup instituted the award in 1968 using a portion of the prize money from his first-ever Jnanpith Award (which he won for his poetry collection Odakkuzhal). Presented annually on February 2nd, coinciding with the death anniversary of G. Sankara Kurup.

Odakkuzhal Award (1969-2025) Winners List

This Winners List features 56 winners of the Odakkuzhal Award, from 1969 to 2025.

Image	Year	Winner Name	Gender	Book Name	Profession

	2025	E.P. Rajagopalan	male	Ulkatha	Literary critic
Malayalam literary critic and teacher from Kasaragod known for incisive essays on poetry and cultural theory. He received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for criticism. He received the Odakkuzhal Award for Malayalam literature.
	2024	K. Aravindakshan	male	Gopa	Writer, cultural critic
Malayalam writer and cultural critic from Thrissur known for essays on Marxism, spirituality and ecology, and literary criticism. He received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award. He received the Odakkuzhal Award for Malayalam literature.
	2023	P. N. Gopikrishnan	male	Kavitha Mamsabhojiyanu	Poet, essayist
Malayalam poet and essayist known for politically sharp, experimental poetry. He also writes critical essays on culture and politics and won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award.
	2022	Ambikasuthan Mangad	male	Pranavayu	Novelist, academic
Malayalam novelist and teacher from Kasaragod whose novel Enmakaje addresses Endosulfan pesticide victims. He writes on ecology and social justice. He received the Odakkuzhal Award for Malayalam literature.
	2021	Sara Joseph Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2003) , Vayalar Award (2004)	female	Budhini	Novelist, short story writer, activist
Malayalam feminist novelist and activist from Thrissur and a former Malayalam professor. Her acclaimed novel Aalahayude Penmakkal won the Vayalar and Sahitya Akademi awards; she co-founded the Manushi women's group.
	2019	N.Prabhakaran Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2025)	male	Mayamanushyar	Novelist, short-story writer
Malayalam fiction writer and playwright from Kannur, known for bold experimental stories and the novel Theeyoor Rekhakal. He received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award. He received the Odakkuzhal Award for Malayalam literature.
	2018	E. V. Ramakrishnan Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2023)	male	Malayala Novalinte Desakalangal	Poet, critic, academic
Bilingual poet and critic who writes in Malayalam and English, and professor of comparative literature. His criticism and poetry have won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award.
	2017	Aymanam John	male	Aymanam Johninte Kathakal	Short-story writer
Malayalam short-story writer from Kottayam known for restrained, finely observed stories about ordinary lives. His collection Aymanam Johninte Kathakal won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award. He received the Odakkuzhal Award for Malayalam literature.
	2016	M. A. Rahman	male	Oro Jeevanum Vilappettathaanu	Documentary filmmaker, writer
Malayalam writer and documentary filmmaker known for films on Basheer and on Endosulfan victims in Kasaragod. He writes essays and stories on society and ecology. He received the Odakkuzhal Award for Malayalam literature.
	2015	S. Joseph	male	Chandranodoppam	Malayalam poet
Malayalam poet known for plain-spoken verse drawn from Dalit and rural life, as in Meenkaran. He received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award. He received the Odakkuzhal Award for Malayalam literature.
	2014	Rafeeq Ahamed	male	Rafeeq Ahammedinte Kruthikal	Poet, lyricist
Malayalam poet and film lyricist known for sensitive, nature-rich poetry and many popular film songs. He has won Kerala State Film Awards for lyrics several times.
	2013	K. R. Meera Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2015) , Vayalar Award (2014)	female	Aarachaar	Novelist, short story writer, journalist
Malayalam novelist and former Malayala Manorama journalist from Sasthamkotta, Kollam. Her novel Aarachaar (The Hangwoman) won the Vayalar, Kerala Sahitya Akademi and Kendra Sahitya Akademi awards. Her writing is known for its sharp feminist voice.
	2012	Sethu (A. Sethumadhavan) Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2007) , Vayalar Award (2006) , Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2022)	male	Marupiravi	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.
	2011	Subhash Chandran Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2014) , Vayalar Award (2015)	male	Manushyanu Oru Amukham	Novelist, short story writer, journalist
Malayalam novelist and short story writer from Kadungalloor, Ernakulam, who edits Mathrubhumi Illustrated Weekly. His debut novel Manushyanu Oru Aamukham won the Vayalar and Kendra Sahitya Akademi awards.
	2010	Unnikrishnan Puthur	male	Anubhavangalude Nerrekhakal	Novelist, short-story writer
Malayalam novelist and short-story writer from Guruvayur, known for Amruthamathanam and stories about temple life. He received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award. He received the Odakkuzhal Award for Malayalam literature.
	2009	Sreekumaran Thampi Also won: Vayalar Award (2023)	male	Ammakku Oru Tharattu	Lyricist, poet, film director, producer
Malayalam lyricist, poet, screenwriter, director and producer from Haripad, Alappuzha. He has written thousands of film songs since 1966; his autobiography Jeevitham Oru Pendulum won the Vayalar Award.
	2008	K. G. Sankara Pillai Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2002) , Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2025)	male	K. G. S. Kavithakal	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.
	2007	N. K. Desam	male	Mudra	Malayalam poet
Malayalam poet known for short, witty and ironic poems exploring everyday life. His poetry collections have won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award. He received the Odakkuzhal Award for Malayalam literature.
	2006	C. Radhakrishnan	male	Theekkadal Kadanju Thirumadhuram	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.
	2005	Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair	male	Naatyacharyante Jeevithamudrakal	Kathakali artist, writer
Likely refers to Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair, a Kathakali master and teacher at Kerala Kalamandalam, known for his authoritative book on Kathakali technique, Chollikkiyattam. He received the Odakkuzhal Award for Malayalam literature.
	2004	P. Surendran	male	Chinese Market	Short-story writer, art critic
Malayalam short-story writer, novelist and art critic known for sensitive stories and writing on visual art and travel. He received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award. He received the Odakkuzhal Award for Malayalam literature.
	2003	Paul Zachariah Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2004) , Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2020)	male	Thiranjedutha Kathakal	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.
	2002	Mundur Krishnankutty	male	Enne Veruthe Vittalum	Short-story writer
Malayalam short-story writer and schoolteacher from Palakkad whose gentle stories dwell on memory, relationships and village life. He received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award. He received the Odakkuzhal Award for Malayalam literature.
	2001	K. Ayyappa Paniker Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1984) , Saraswati Samman (2005) , Vayalar Award (2002)	male	Ayyappa Paniker Kavithakal	Malayalam poet, literary critic, and academic
A pioneering Malayalam poet and critic credited with introducing modernist and postmodernist sensibilities to Malayalam poetry, notably through "Kurukshethram" (1960), considered a turning point in the tradition. A distinguished scholar of Indian narratology and aesthetics, he received the Saraswati Samman 2005 for his anthology "Ayyappa Panikerude Kritikal," shortly before his death in August 2006.
	2000	K. Satchidanandan Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2012) , Vayalar Award (2005) , Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2017)	male	Thiranjedutha Kavithakal	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.
	1999	Chandramathi	female	Rain Deer	Writer, academic
Malayalam short-story writer, translator and English professor, known for stories exploring women's lives with wit and insight. She received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award. She received the Odakkuzhal Award for Malayalam literature.
	1998	Asha Menon	male	Paraga Koshangal	Literary critic, essayist
Pen name of K. Sreekumar, a Malayalam literary critic and essayist known for meditative writing on literature, nature and spirituality. His essays have won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award.
	1997	M. P. Veerendra Kumar Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2010) , Vayalar Award (2008) , Moortidevi Award (2016)	male	Athmavilekkoru Theerthayathra	Politician, writer, newspaper publisher
Socialist politician, Union Minister and managing director of Mathrubhumi newspaper. Also a prolific writer, his Himalayan travelogue Haimavathabhuvil won the Vayalar Award and wide literary acclaim. He served in both houses of Parliament.
	1996	Anand (P. Satchidanandan) Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1997) , Vayalar Award (1993) , Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2019)	male	Govardhanante Yathrakal	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.
	1995	T. Padmanabhan	male	Kadal	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.
	1994	N. S. Madhavan Also won: Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2024)	male	Higuita	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.
	1993	Madath Thekepat Vasudevan Nair	male	Vanaprastham	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.
	1992	Thikkodiyan (P. Kunjananandan Nair) Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1995) , Vayalar Award (1995)	male	Arangu Kanatha Nadan	Playwright, novelist, lyricist, screenwriter
P. Kunhananthan Nair, Malayalam playwright from Kozhikode known for radio plays and stage drama. His autobiography Arangu Kaanatha Nadan won the Vayalar Award and Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award.
	1991	P. Narayana Kurup	male	Nishagandhi	Malayalam poet
Malayalam poet and translator known for disciplined verse rooted in classical metre and Indian tradition. He worked with All India Radio and received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award.
	1990	Prof. Ottaplakkal Neelakandan Velu Kurup	male	Mrigaya	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".
	1989	M. P. Sankunni Nair Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1991)	male	Chhathravum Chamaravum	Literary critic, scholar
Malayalam literary critic, Sanskrit scholar and poet known for insightful studies of classical literature and Kathakali. His work Chathravum Chamaravum won the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award.
	1988	Olappamanna Subramanian Namboothirippad Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1989)	male	Nizhalana	Malayalam poet
Olappamanna Subramanian Namboothiripad was a Malayalam poet known for socially committed, humanist poetry such as Nangemakutty. He received the Kendra and Kerala Sahitya Akademi awards. He received the Odakkuzhal Award for Malayalam literature.
	1987	Yusufali Kechery	male	Kechery Puzha	Poet, lyricist
Malayalam poet, film lyricist and director known for devotional Krishna poems and Sanskrit verse. He won a National Film Award for best lyrics and the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award.
	1986	Kadavanad Kuttikrishnan	male	Kalimuttam	Poet, journalist
Malayalam poet and journalist who worked with Malayala Manorama. His verse addressed social themes with lyrical grace, and he won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award. He received the Odakkuzhal Award for Malayalam literature.
	1985	N. N. Kakkadu Also won: Vayalar Award (1986)	male	Saphalamee Yathra	Poet, teacher, broadcaster
N. N. Kakkad, Malayalam modernist poet from Avitanallur, Kozhikode, who worked at All India Radio. His last collection Saphalamee Yathra won the Vayalar and Kendra Sahitya Akademi awards.
	1984	G. Kumara Pillai	male	Sapthaswaram	Malayalam poet, activist
Malayalam poet and Gandhian activist who wrote reflective, socially aware verse and campaigned for prohibition and human rights. His collections won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award.
	1983	Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1994) , Vayalar Award (2010) , Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2014)	male	Mukhamevide	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.
	1982	B. Sugathakumari	female	Ambalamani	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.
	1981	Vilasini (M. K. Menon) Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1981) , Vayalar Award (1983)	male	Avakasikal	Novelist, teacher, translator
M. K. Menon, Malayalam novelist from Vadakkancherry who worked in Singapore. Writing as Vilasini, his four-volume Avakasikal is among India's longest novels and won the 1983 Vayalar Award.
	1980	P. Bhaskaran	male	Ottakkambiyulla Thamburu	Poet, lyricist, film director
Malayalam poet, lyricist and film director who wrote thousands of beloved film songs and directed classics like Neelakuyil. He received the J. C. Daniel Award for lifetime contribution.
	1979	M. Leelavathy	female	Varnaraji	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.
	1978	Kainikkara Kumara Pillai	male	Naatakeeyam	Educationist, playwright, writer
Malayalam educationist, playwright and essayist who wrote thoughtful plays like Mathruka Manushyan. He headed educational institutions and wrote widely on culture, education and literary criticism. He received the Odakkuzhal Award for Malayalam literature.
	1977	N. Lalithambika Antharjanam Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1977) , Vayalar Award (1977)	female	Agnisakshi	Writer, social reformer
Malayalam writer and reformer from Kottavattom, Punalur, who exposed injustices faced by Namboothiri women. Her novel Agnisakshi won the first Vayalar Award and the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award.
	1976	Nalankal Krishna Pillai	male	Krishna Tulasi	Malayalam poet
Malayalam poet in the romantic tradition whose lyrical verse celebrated nature, devotion and Kerala's culture. His collections won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, and he also worked as an educationist.
	1975	V. K. Govindan Nair	male	V. K. Govindan Nairude Krithikal	Malayalam poet
Malayalam poet admired for humanist, reflective verse and a sharp satirical streak. His collections earned him the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award and a lasting place among mid-century Malayalam poets.
	1974	K. Surendran Also won: Vayalar Award (1994)	male	Maranam Durbalam	Novelist, playwright
Malayalam novelist from Ochira, Kollam, who left the Posts and Telegraph department to write full time. He wrote ten novels, including Maya, and Guru, a novel on Sree Narayana Guru.
	1973	Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri	male	Nimisha Kshetram	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.
	1972	N. Krishna Pillai Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1987) , Vayalar Award (1987)	male	Thiranjedutha Prabandhangal	Playwright, literary critic, historian
Malayalam dramatist and critic from Chirayinkeezhu called the Kerala Ibsen for introducing social realism to theatre. His literary history Kairaliyude Katha and criticism Prathipathram Bhashanabhedam remain landmark works.
	1971	Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1971) , Vayalar Award (1981)	male	Vida	Poet, teacher
Malayalam poet from Kaloor, Ernakulam, and a school headmaster. Celebrated for Mambazham and Kudiyozhikkal, he blended romanticism with social realism and won the Vayalar Award for Makarakoythu.
	1970	Ottupulakkal Velukkuty Vijayan	male	Khasakkinte Itihasam	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.
	1969	Vennikkulam Gopala Kurup Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1974)	male	Tulsidasa Ramayanam (Malayalam translation)	Malayalam poet
Malayalam poet and scholar known for classical, lyrical poetry rooted in Sanskrit tradition. He also translated works and compiled a Malayalam dictionary, and received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award.