Vayalar Literary Award Conferred Upon E. Santhosh Kumar for ‘Tapomayiyude Achan’
The 49th Vayalar Literary Award has been conferred upon acclaimed writer E. Santhosh Kumar for his compelling work, ‘Tapomayiyude Achan’ (Tapomayi’s Father). The prestigious award package includes a cash prize of one lakh rupees, a distinguished bronze sculpture meticulously designed by Kanayi Kunhiraman, and a citation acknowledging his literary contributions.
The selection process involved a distinguished jury comprising T.D. Ramakrishnan, Dr. N.P. Hafiz Mohammed, and Priya A.S., who collectively recommended ‘Tapomayiyude Achan’ for this honor. The Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Trust officially accepted the recommendation made by the judging committee, which convened on Sunday at the Mascot Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram. Perumbadavam Sreedharan, President of the Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Trust, presided over the crucial committee meeting.
The grand award presentation ceremony is scheduled to take place on October 27, marking the death anniversary of the revered poet Vayalar Ramavarma. The event will commence at 5:30 PM at the Nishagandhi Auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram.
‘Tapomayiyude Achan’, released in 2024, stands as E. Santhosh Kumar’s most recently published novel. The narrative delves deeply into the poignant and often challenging lives of refugees, offering a compelling exploration of their experiences.
Born in 1969 in Pattikkad village, located in Thrissur district, E. Santhosh Kumar is the son of Govindankutty and Vijayalakshmi. Throughout his illustrious career, he has garnered numerous accolades, including the coveted Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Best Story. His extensive bibliography includes seven novels, prominently ‘Andhakaranazhi,’ alongside a multitude of critically acclaimed short stories. He first received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 2006 for his short story collection “Chavukali,” and later, in 2012, he was honored with the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Best Novel for ‘Andhakaranazhi’. His notable short story collections feature titles such as ‘Galapagos,’ ‘Moonnu Andhanmar Aanaye Vivarikkunnu’ (Three Blind Men Describe an Elephant), ‘Chavukali,’ ‘Moonnu Viralukal’ (Three Fingers), ‘Neechavedam,’ ‘Narakangalude Upama’ (The Parable of the Orange Trees), and ‘Pavakalude Veedu’ (House of Dolls). His other significant novels include ‘Amusement Park,’ ‘Vakkukal’ (Words), ‘Thankachan Manjakaran,’ ‘Kunnukal Nakshathrangal’ (Hills and Stars), and ‘Jnanabharam’ (The Burden of Knowledge).