ONV Kurup Literary Award Winners List (2017-2026)

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

Name	ONV Kurup Literary Award
Award For	Outstanding contributions to literature
Award By	O.N.V. Kurup Memorial Cultural Academy
First Award	2017
First Awardee	Sugathakumari
Last Award	2026
Last Awardee	M. Mukundan
Total Awarded	10
Status	active

About ONV Kurup Literary Award

The ONV Literary Award is an annual literary honour presented by the ONV Cultural Academy to recognize significant contributions to literature. Writer and novelist M. Mukundan has been selected as the recipient of the ONV Literary Award 2026. A committee comprising Dr. M. Leelavathi, Prabha Varma and Alamkode Leelakrishnan unanimously selected him for the award. The jury recognized M. Mukundan for his significant contribution to Malayalam stories and novel literature and for his role in bringing transformative changes to the field. Known as the storyteller of Mayyazhipuzha, he has established himself as one of the prominent figures in Malayalam literature and has also gained national recognition. The jury further acknowledged Mukundan as a versatile personality in the field of literature. The award will be presented to M. Mukundan at a cultural event to be held at the University Senate Hall on May 27, marking the 95th birth anniversary of ONV.

ONV Kurup Literary Award (2017-2026) Winners List

This Winners List features 10 winners of the ONV Kurup Literary Award, from 2017 to 2026.

Image	Year	Winner Name	Gender	Profession

	2026	M. Mukundan Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1992) , Vayalar Award (2003) , Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2018)	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.
	2025	Prabha Varma Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2016) , Saraswati Samman (2023) , Vayalar Award (2013)	male	Malayalam poet, journalist, lyricist, and media commentator
A leading Malayalam poet and journalist known for verse-novels blending mythology with contemporary themes, including "Shyama Madhavam" and "Kanal Chilambu." He has also worked extensively in journalism and television as a commentator. Prabha Varma won the Saraswati Samman 2023 for his poetic work "Roudra Sathwikam," a novel in verse exploring the epic character Ashwatthama and themes of rage and restraint.
	2024	Dr. Pratibha Ray	female	Novelist, short-story writer and academic
Oriya novelist and academician Pratibha Ray wins 47th Jnanpith Award in 2011. In the year 2011, under this award, a cash prize of ₹7 lakh, a citation, and public recognition were conferred. Ray has 20 novels, 24 short stories, 10 travelogues, two poetry collections and a number of essays to her credit. Pratibha Ray is the first Odia woman and fourth Odia writer to get the coveted award. Earlier Gopinath Mohanty (1973), Sachidananda Routray (1986) and Sitakant Mohapatra (1993) were conferred the honour.
	2023	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.
	2022	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.
	2021	Vairamuthu Ramasamy Also won: Padma Bhushan (2014) , Sahitya Akademi Award (2003) , Jnanpith Award (2025)	male	Poet, lyricist, novelist and screenwriter
Vairamuthu was awarded the 60th Jnanpith Award in 2025 for his outstanding contribution to Indian literature. He is the third Tamil literary figure to receive the award, after a gap of 24 years.
	2020	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.
	2019	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.
	2018	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.
	2017	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.