Ashokan Charuvil wins 2024 Vayalar award for 'Kattoorkadavu'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The prestigious Vayalar Award for 2024 has been conferred upon writer Ashokan Charuvil for his novel ‘Kattoorkadavu’. The award, which includes a cash prize of one lakh rupees and a bronze sculpture by renowned artist Kanai Kunhiraman.

The awardee was selected by a committee comprising esteemed members: Benjamin, Prof. K.S. Ravikumar and Gracie. ‘Kattoorkadavu’ explores themes of life, revival and the national movement set against the backdrop of a village devastated by the Great Flood.

The announcement was made by Perumbadavam Sreedharan, President of the Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Trust. This year marks the 48th edition of the Vayalar Award, which has celebrated outstanding literary works since its inception in 1977.

The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on October 27 at 5:30 PM at the Nishagandhi Auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram, coinciding with the death anniversary of Vayalar Ramavarma.

Ashokan Charuvil was born in 1957 in Kattoor, Thrissur. He was a registration department officer. He was a member of the Kerala Public Service Commission. The main works are ‘Soorykanthikalude nagaram’, ‘Parichitha gandhangal’, ‘Oru rathrikk oru pakal’, ‘Marichavarude kadal’, ‘Kadhakalile veedu’, ‘Kangaroo nritham’, ‘Amazon’ etc.

Last year, poet, lyricist and director Sreekumaran Thampi received the Vayalar award. The award was given to the autobiography 'Jeevitham Oru Pendulum'.