THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Writer Zacharia has bagged this year’s Ezhuthacan Puraskaram, the highest literary honour of the state government. The award is for his overall contributions to the Malayalam literature. The award carries a cash prize of Rs five lakh and a plaque. I am very happy to have bagged the award and it is a recognition given by the society, he said.

Jury chairman and Kerala Sahitya academy president Vaishakan said Zachariah is a writer who has contributed to the new dimensions of enjoyment by creating complete changes in Malayalam storytelling and theme presentation. Zachariah is a recipient of Kerala Sahitya Academy award, Kendra Sahithya Akademy award etc. His main works are Oridath, Arkkariyam, Zachariah kathakal, Joseph Oru Purohithan, Oru African Yatra etc.