Vayalar Award Winners List (1977-2025)

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Published Sep 23, 2026 Updated Sep 23, 2026 1 min read

Overview Award Winners Official Website Award Chart FAQs

Name	Vayalar Award
Award For	Best literary work in Malayalam
Award By	Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Trust
First Award	1977
First Awardee	Lalithambika Antharjanam
Last Award	2025
Last Awardee	E. Santhosh Kumar
Total Awarded	49
Status	active
Official URL	https://vayalarramavarmamemorialtrust.org/

About Vayalar Award

The literary award instituted in the name of Vayalar Ramavarma should serve to benefit the Malayalam language. The award should be conferred only upon new literary works; it should not be based on the individual author. It ought to be presented to the work selected as the best among new writings first published within a specific timeframe. Works previously published in book form or translations should not be considered. The Vayalar Ramavarma literary award should enrich the Malayalam language.

A crucial initial step in the selection process involves soliciting public opinion from at least 150 individuals. In the first phase, 20 prominent figures in Malayalam literature capable of evaluating works and offering unbiased assessments—are asked to provide critical reviews of the five shortlisted titles. Based on their feedback, the three works ranked highest are then submitted to the judging committee for final consideration. The written evaluations provided by these 20 individuals regarding the five books each year constitute an invaluable asset for both the award and the literary works themselves.

Vayalar Award (1977-2025) Winners List

This Winners List features 49 winners of the Vayalar Award, from 1977 to 2025.

Image	Year	Recipient Name	Profession	Gender

	2025	E. Santhosh Kumar	Short story writer, novelist	male
Malayalam short story writer and novelist who spent three decades at National Insurance Company. His novel Thapomayiyude Achan, on refugee memories, won the 2025 Vayalar Award. He took voluntary retirement in 2020 to write.
	2024	Ashokan Charuvil	Short story writer, novelist	male
Malayalam short story writer from Kannur who served in the registration department and on the Kerala Public Service Commission. His novel Kattoor Kadavu won the 2024 Vayalar Award.
	2023	Sreekumaran Thampi Also won: Odakkuzhal Award (2009)	Lyricist, poet, film director, producer	male
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.
	2022	S. Hareesh	Novelist, short story writer, screenwriter	male
Malayalam writer from Neendoor, Kottayam, who works in a village office. His controversial novel Meesha, on caste in Kerala, won the Vayalar Award and the JCB Prize in translation.
	2021	Benyamin	Novelist, screenwriter	male
Benny Daniel, Malayalam novelist from Kulanada, Pathanamthitta, who worked for years in Bahrain. His Aadujeevitham (Goat Days) became a bestseller and film; he also wrote Manthalirile 20 Communist Varshangal.
	2020	Ezhacherry Ramachandran	Poet, lyricist, journalist	male
Malayalam poet, film lyricist and journalist from Kottayam who served as chief editor of Deshabhimani weekly. His collection Oru Virginian Veyilkaalam won the Vayalar Award in 2020.
	2019	V. J. James	Novelist, engineer	male
Malayalam novelist and mechanical engineer who worked at ISRO\'s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. His novels, including Nireeshwaran and Purappadinte Pusthakam, blend philosophy and fantasy; Nireeshwaran won the Vayalar Award.
	2018	K. V. Mohan Kumar	Novelist, IAS officer, journalist	male
Malayalam novelist and former journalist from Cherthala, Alappuzha, who joined the IAS and served as district collector. His novel Ushnarashi, on the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising, won the Vayalar Award.
	2017	T. D. Ramakrishnan	Novelist, translator, railway official	male
Malayalam novelist and translator from Thrissur, retired Southern Railway chief controller. Known for Francis Itty Cora and Sugandhi Enna Andal Devanayaki, which won the Vayalar and Kendra Sahitya Akademi awards.
	2016	U. K. Kumaran	Novelist, short story writer, journalist	male
Malayalam novelist and journalist from Kozhikode. His novel Thakshankunnu Swaroopam, chronicling a village\'s transformation, won the Vayalar Award and Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel. He also wrote many short stories and essays.
	2015	Subhash Chandran Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2014) , Odakkuzhal Award (2011)	Novelist, short story writer, journalist	male
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.
	2014	K. R. Meera Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2015) , Odakkuzhal Award (2013)	Novelist, short story writer, journalist	female
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.
	2013	Prabha Varma Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2016) , Saraswati Samman (2023) , ONV Kurup Literary Award (2025)	Malayalam poet, journalist, lyricist, and media commentator	male
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.
	2012	Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri	Poet, essayist and social worker	male
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.
	2011	K. P. Ramanunni Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2017)	Novelist, short story writer	male
Malayalam novelist from Ponnani, best known for Sufi Paranja Katha, which explores Hindu–Muslim harmony. His novel Jeevithathinte Pusthakam won the Vayalar Award; he also campaigns for communal amity.
	2010	Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1994) , Odakkuzhal Award (1983) , Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2014)	Poet, professor, temple priest	male
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.
	2009	M. Thomas Mathew Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2022)	Literary critic, academic, translator	male
Malayalam literary critic, orator and translator who taught in several Kerala colleges and directed the Kerala Bhasha Institute. His study of critic Kuttikrishna Marar earned him the 2009 Vayalar Award.
	2008	M. P. Veerendra Kumar Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2010) , Moortidevi Award (2016) , Odakkuzhal Award (1997)	Politician, writer, newspaper publisher	male
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.
	2007	M. Leelavathy	Literary critic, professor	female
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.
	2006	Sethu (A. Sethumadhavan) Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2007) , Odakkuzhal Award (2012) , Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2022)	Novelist, banker	male
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.
	2005	K. Satchidanandan Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2012) , Odakkuzhal Award (2000) , Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2017)	Poet, critic, academic	male
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.
	2004	Sara Joseph Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2003) , Odakkuzhal Award (2021)	Novelist, short story writer, activist	female
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.
	2003	M. Mukundan Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1992) , ONV Kurup Literary Award (2026) , Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2018)	Novelist, short story writer	male
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.
	2002	K. Ayyappa Paniker Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1984) , Saraswati Samman (2005) , Odakkuzhal Award (2001)	Malayalam poet, literary critic, and academic	male
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.
	2001	M. V. Devan	Painter, sculptor, architect, art critic	male
Malayalam painter, sculptor, architect and essayist from Mahe who co-founded Kerala Lalit Kala Akademi. He designed about 450 buildings; his essay collection Devaspandanam won the Vayalar Award.
	2000	T. Padmanabhan	Short story writer	male
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.
	1999	Kovilan (V. V. Ayyappan) Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1998) , Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2006)	Novelist, short story writer, soldier	male
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.
	1998	S. Guptan Nair Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1983) , Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2005)	Literary critic, professor, editor	male
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.
	1997	Madhavikutty (Kamala Surayya) Also won: Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2002)	Poet, novelist, short story writer	female
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.
	1996	Perumbadavam Sreedharan	Novelist, short story writer, screenwriter	male
Malayalam novelist from Perumbadavam, Ernakulam. His bestselling Oru Sankeerthanam Pole, about Dostoevsky\'s love story, won the Vayalar Award. He also wrote film scripts and chaired the Kerala Sahitya Akademi.
	1995	Thikkodiyan (P. Kunjananandan Nair) Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1995) , Odakkuzhal Award (1992)	Playwright, novelist, lyricist, screenwriter	male
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.
	1994	K. Surendran Also won: Odakkuzhal Award (1974)	Novelist, playwright	male
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.
	1993	Anand (P. Satchidanandan) Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1997) , Odakkuzhal Award (1996) , Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2019)	Novelist, civil engineer	male
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.
	1992	M. K. Sanu Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (2011) , Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2013)		male
	1991	Ottupulakkal Velukkuty Vijayan	Novelist, short story writer, cartoonist	male
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.
	1990	C. Radhakrishnan	Novelist, scientist, journalist	male
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.
	1989	Sukumar Azhikode Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1985) , Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2004)	Literary critic, orator, academic	male
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.
	1988	Thirunalloor Karunakaran	Poet, scholar, teacher	male
Malayalam poet, scholar and leftist intellectual from Perinad, Kollam, who taught college and edited Janayugam. His lyrical poems, including Rani, won acclaim and he received the Vayalar Award.
	1987	N. Krishna Pillai Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1987) , Odakkuzhal Award (1972)	Playwright, literary critic, historian	male
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.
	1986	N. N. Kakkadu Also won: Odakkuzhal Award (1985)	Poet, teacher, broadcaster	male
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.
	1985	Madath Thekepat Vasudevan Nair	Novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter, and film director	male
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.
	1984	B. Sugathakumari	Malayalam poet, environmental and feminist activist	female
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.
	1983	Vilasini (M. K. Menon) Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1981) , Odakkuzhal Award (1981)	Novelist, teacher, translator	male
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.
	1982	Prof. Ottaplakkal Neelakandan Velu Kurup	Malayalam poet, lyricist, and professor	male
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".
	1981	Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1971) , Odakkuzhal Award (1971)	Poet, teacher	male
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.
	1980	Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai	Novelist and short-story writer	male
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.
	1979	Malayattoor Ramakrishnan	Novelist, IAS officer, cartoonist	male
Malayalam novelist, IAS officer, lawyer and cartoonist from Kalpathy, Palakkad. His novels include Verukal and Yakshi; Yanthram, drawing on bureaucratic life, won the Vayalar Award. He also wrote and directed for Malayalam cinema.
	1978	P. K. Balakrishnana	Novelist, critic, journalist, historian	male
P. K. Balakrishnan, Malayalam novelist, critic and historian from Edavanakkad, Ernakulam. His Mahabharata-based novel Ini Njan Urangatte, told through Karna and Draupadi, won the second Vayalar Award in 1978.
	1977	N. Lalithambika Antharjanam Also won: Sahitya Akademi Award (1977) , Odakkuzhal Award (1977)	Writer, social reformer	female
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.