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Malayalam Writer Wins Prestigious Vayalar Award for Acclaimed Novel
5 Oct
Summary
- E Santhosh Kumar selected for Vayalar Award
- Novel "Thapomayiyude Achan" addresses refugee issues and migration
- Praised for its captivating narrative and lack of unnecessary elements
On October 5th, 2025, it was announced that Malayalam writer E Santhosh Kumar has been selected as the recipient of this year's Vayalar Award for his novel "Thapomayiyude Achan". The Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Trust has been presenting this award for the best literary work in Malayalam since 1977.
The judging committee, consisting of T D Ramakrishnan, N P Hafiz Muhammad, and Priya A S, unanimously chose the 55-year-old Santhosh Kumar for the prestigious honor. The committee praised the novel, stating that it is an extraordinary work that delves deep into the human mind and addresses issues such as the refugee crisis and migration in India. Although the story is set in northeastern India, the committee remarked that it is a pan-Indian novel with a captivating narrative style that sets it apart.
Santhosh Kumar, hailing from Thrissur, is a recipient of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi award for both his short story collection and novel. He has published over 25 books, including children's literature, essays, and translations, with his works being translated into several languages.