Ezhuthassan Puraskaram for Vijayan

By Our Staff Reporter

KOTTAYAM, OCT. 31. The noted Malayalam writer, Mr. O. V. Vijayan, has been selected for this year's Ezhuthassan Puraskaram.

Declaring the award at the residence of Mr. Vijayan here today, Mr. G. Karthikeyan, Minister for Cultural Affairs, said "vibrations of deep humanist perception was evident in the creative universe of Mr. Vijayan".

Mr. Vijayan is the ninth recipient of Ezhuthassan Puraskaram, the biggest literary award instituted by the State Government.

The award carries a prize money of Rs. 1 lakh and a citation and a memento and would be given away by the Chief Minister at a special function in the capital.

The first recipient of the award was Mr. Sooranad Kunjan Pillai in 1993. Others include Mr. Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, Ms. Balamoniamma, Mr. Ponkunnam Varkey, Mr. M. P. Appan, Mr. K. P. Narayana Pisharody and Mr. Pala Narayanan Nair.

The date of presentation of this year's award will be announced later, the Minister said.

The unofficial function at Mr. Vijayan's residence was simple and brought out the unpretentiousness of the enigmatic writer himself.

Hearing the news, he just said "I am very happy". However, this impromptu comment was followed by the perennial sense of uncertainty, doubt and concern evident in all his writings.

"Do I deserve this," he asked in writing. Mr. Kathikeyan pointed out that it was this sense of humility which set apart Mr. Vijayan from others.

Mr. Vijayan has received awards instituted by Kendriya Sahitya Akademi and Kerala Sahitya Akademi. A host of privately instituted awards have also been bestowed on him.

It had been reported that he was one of the front-runners for this year's Jnanapith Award.

Mr. Vijayan is staying at the house of his sister and noted Malayalam poetess, Ms. O. V. Usha, who is working at the Mahatma Gandhi University.

Mr. Thomas Mathew, one of the members of the selection committee, Mr. A. Ajith Kumar, District Collector, Mr. Sunny Kalloor, Municipal chairman, and others were present on the occasion.

Mr. G. Karthikeyan, Minister for Cultural Affairs, announcing this year's Ezuthassan Puraskaram at the residence of Mr. O. V. Vijayan in Kottayam on Wednesday.

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