Odakkuzhal Awards
The Odakkuzhal Award is a literary award given annually to the best children's literature in Malayalam, a language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala. It was instituted in 1977 by the Kerala State Institute of Children's Literature, which is part of the State Institute of Languages in Kerala. The award is named after the "odakkuzhal", a traditional musical instrument used in Kerala.
The award is given for the best original work of fiction or non-fiction for children in Malayalam published during the previous calendar year. The winner is selected by a jury comprising eminent literary figures and experts in children's literature. The jury is appointed by the Kerala State Institute of Children's Literature.
List of Odakkuzhal Award Winners
| Year | Recipient | Work |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Vennikkulam Gopala Kurup | Tulsidasa Ramayanam |
| 1970 | O. V. Vijayan | Khasakkinte Itihasam |
| 1971 | Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon | Vida |
| 1972 | N. Krishna Pillai | Thiranjedutha Prabandhangal |
| 1973 | Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri | Nimisha Kshetram |
| 1974 | K. Surendran | Maranam Durbalam |
| 1975 | V. K. Govindan Nair | V. K. Govindan Nairude Krithikal |
| 1976 | Nalankal Krishna Pillai | Krishna Tulasi |
| 1977 | Lalithambika Antharjanam | Agnisakshi |
| 1978 | Kainikkara Kumara Pillai | Naatakeeyam |
| 1979 | M. Leelavathy | Varnaraji |
| 1980 | P. Bhaskaran | Ottakkambiyulla Thamburu |
| 1981 | Vilasini | Avakasikal |
| 1982 | Sugathakumari | Ambalamani |
| 1983 | Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri | Mukhamevide |
| 1984 | G. Kumara Pillai | Sapthaswaram |
| 1985 | N. N. Kakkad | Saphalamee Yathra |
| 1986 | Kadavanad Kuttikrishnan | Kalimuttam |
| 1987 | Yusufali Kechery | Kechery Puzha |
| 1988 | Olappamanna | Nizhalana |
| 1989 | M. P. Sankunni Nair | Chhathravum Chamaravum |
| 1990 | O. N. V. Kurup | Mrigaya |
| 1991 | P. Narayana Kurup | Nishagandhi |
| 1992 | Thikkodiyan | Arangu Kanatha Nadan |
| 1993 | M. T. Vasudevan Nair | Vanaprastham |
| 1994 | N. S. Madhavan | Higuita |
| 1995 | T. Padmanabhan | Kadal |
| 1996 | Anand | Govardhanante Yathrakal |
| 1997 | M. P. Veerendra Kumar | Athmavilekkoru Theerthayathra |
| 1998 | Asha Menon | Paraga Koshangal |
| 1999 | Chandramathi | Rain Deer |
| 2000 | Satchidanandan | Thiranjedutha Kavithakal |
| 2001 | Ayyappa Paniker | Ayyappa Paniker Kavithakal |
| 2002 | Mundur Krishnankutty | Enne Veruthe Vittalum |
| 2003 | Zacharia | Thiranjedutha Kathakal |
| 2004 | P. Surendran | Chinese Market |
| 2005 | Njeralathu Surendran and KP Nair | Naatyacharyante Jeevithamudraka |
| 2006 | C. Radhakrishnan | Theekkadal Kadanju Thirumadhuram |
| 2007 | N. K. Desam | Mudra |
| 2008 | K. G. Sankara Pillai | K. G. S. Kavithakal |
| 2009 | Sreekumaran Thampi | Ammakku Oru Tharattu |
| 2010 | Unnikrishnan Puthoor | Anubhavangalude Nerrekhakal |
| 2011 | Subhash Chandran | Manushyanu Oru Amukham |
| 2012 | Sethu | Marupiravi |
| 2013 | K. R. Meera | Aarachaar |
| 2014 | Rafeeq Ahammed | Rafeeq Ahammedinte Kruthikal |
| 2015 | S. Joseph | Chandranodoppam |
| 2016 | M. A. Rahman | Oro Jeevanum Vilappettathaanu |
| 2017 | Aymanam John | Aymanam Johninte Kathakal |
| 2018 | E V Ramakrishnan | Malayala novalinte desakalangal |
| 2019 | N Prabhakaran | Mayamanushya |
| 2021 | Sarah Joseph | Budhini |
| 2022 | Ambikasuthan Mangad | Pranavayu |
| 2023 | P. N. Gopikrishnan | Kavitha Mamsabhojiyanu |
The Odakkuzhal Award and Features
The Odakkuzhal Award is a prestigious literary award presented annually to the best children's literature in Malayalam, a language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala. Here are some of its features:
Origin: The Odakkuzhal Award was instituted in the year 1977 by the Kerala State Institute of Children’s Literature, which is a part of the State Institute of Languages in Kerala.
Eligibility: The award is given for the best original work of fiction or non-fiction for children in Malayalam published during the previous calendar year.
Selection process: The winner is selected by a jury comprising of eminent literary figures and experts in children's literature. The jury is appointed by the Kerala State Institute of Children’s Literature.
Prize: The award consists of a cash prize of Rs. 10,000 (approximately 135 USD), a citation, and a memento.
Presentation: The award is presented at a special function organized by the Kerala State Institute of Children’s Literature. The ceremony is attended by prominent literary figures, publishers, and writers.
Significance: The Odakkuzhal Award is one of the most prestigious literary awards for children's literature in Malayalam. Winning the award is considered a significant achievement for writers and publishers in the field of children's literature.
Past winners: Some of the notable winners of the Odakkuzhal Award include M. Mukundan, P. Kesavadev, Kakkanadan, C. Radhakrishnan, and M.T. Vasudevan Nair.
Overall, the Odakkuzhal Award is an important recognition of excellence in children's literature in Malayalam and has played a significant role in promoting the growth and development of children's literature in Kerala.
Points to Remember about Odakkuzhal Award
| Odakkuzhall Award Indian literary award given every year to writers for a particular outstanding work of him/her in Malayalam–language | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Literary award in India |
| Sponsored by | Instituted by the Guruvayurappan Trust |
| Reward(s) | Rs 30,000, citation, and plaque |
| First awarded | 1969 |
| Last awarded | 2022 |
| Total awarded | 53 |
| First winner | Vennikkulam Gopala Kurup |
| Last winner | P. N. Gopikrishnan |
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