10-05-2025
Santhosh Kumar, Santhosh Echikkanam, Shafi Poovathinkal win O.V. Vijayan Awards
Writers E. Santhosh Kumar, Santhosh Echikkanam and Shafi Poovathinkal have won the O.V. Vijayan Memorial Literary Awards 2024.
While Mr. Santhosh Kumar won the award for his novel Jnanabharam, Mr. Echikkanam won the award for his short story anthology Kavana. Mr. Poovathinkal won the award for the unpublished young writer's story for his work titled Raqeebinum Atheedinum Idayile Nunakal.
O.V. Vijayan Smaraka Samiti secretary T.R. Ajayan said here on Saturday that the awardees were selected through a rigorous screening of more than 200 writers. 'We had more than 200 works of different writers sent by different publishers and as many suggestions and recommendations by established writers. We had a mega jury of 20 writers who screened and shortlisted the works through a rigorous process,' said Mr. Ajayan.
Jury members Rajesh Menon, P.R. Jayaseelan and Manoj Veettikkad said that they had thoroughly evaluated the works with utmost care to select the most deserving ones for the award.
The awards for the novel and the short story collection will comprise a plaque, a citation and a cash prize of ₹25,000. The award for the young writer's unpublished story will have a cash prize of ₹10,000 along with a plaque and a citation.
Mr. Rajesh Menon said that despite the modest prize money, the young writer award holds great significance owing to its association with the renowned author O.V. Vijayan.
The award distribution ceremony, scheduled for May 18, may be postponed due to rising tensions along the national borders, said Mr. Ajayan.
