Ezhuthachan Puraskaram for writer Sethu

KOTTAYAM: Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, the highest literary award of the state government, will be conferred to novelist and writer Sethu. The award is given to him for his overall contribution to the literary field. The award consists of Rs 5 lakh, citation and plaque. The award was announced by Cultural Affairs Minister V N Vasavan.

The panel also had Kerala Sahitya Academy president K Sachidanandan, chairman Prof M K Sanu, members Vaishakan, Dr M V Narayanan and Rani George IAS. Choosing him for the award, the panel said the life experiences of Sethu is a textbook that inspires the new generation. The panel said he is a writer who stands beyond the definitions of movements and trends and takes care to modernize his writing.

Sethu, born at Chendamangalam in Ernakulam in 1942, completed his education at Paliyam High School and Aluva College. After working in the central meteorological department and railways, he became a bank officer. He had served as the chairman of South Indian Bank, director of State Bank of Travancore and Chairman of National Book Trust of India. The experience of traveling all over India as part of his work helped Sethu's writing to travel beyond national boundaries.