Mohanlal to receive state government honour today; entry free for everyone

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Today, the state government will honour actor Mohanlal, who won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. The function titled 'Malayalam Vaanolam, Lal Salaam' will be held at the Central Stadium at 5 pm. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will present the award. Minister Saji Cherian announced that the entry will be free.

The Chief Minister will present a certificate of appreciation written by poet Prabha Varma to Mohanlal. Singer Lakshmi Das will recite a poem on the certificate of appreciation. The arrangements are being made under the leadership of the district administration in coordination with the police, transport, fire force, municipality and health departments. Minister V Sivankutty will preside over the function. Ministers Saji Cherian, KN Balagopal, GR Anil, Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan; MPs Shashi Tharoor, Adoor Prakash, AA Rahim, John Brittas; Antony Raju MLA, Mayor Arya Rajendran, District Panchayat President D Suresh Kumar, directors Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Joshi and others will be present.

'Ragam Mohanam' directed by TK Rajeev Kumar will be performed as a tribute to Mohanlal. Kathakali master Kalamandalam Subramanian Ashan will present 'Thiranottam' as a tribute to Mohanlal's acting skills. The musical program, which will feature memorable songs from Mohanlal's films, will feature singers MG Sreekumar, Sujatha, Sithara, Manjari, Jyotsna, Mridula Warrier, Nithya Mammen, Sayanora, Rajalakshmi, Rimi Tomy, Nandini, Ranjini Jose and Lakshmi Gopalaswamy. Mohanlal will also sing.

Shobhana, Meena, Urvashi, Menaka, Malavika Mohan, Ranjini, Ambika and Meera Jasmine, who have played the heroines of Mohanlal, will also extend their greetings.

KSFDC Chairman K Madhu, MD P S Priyadarshanan, Film Academy Chairman Prem Kumar, Secretary C Ajoy, Cultural Workers Welfare Fund Board Chairman K Madhupal and TK Rajeev Kumar were also present at the press conference.