Ezhuthachan Award Winner of 2011 is M T Vasudevan Nair

Prominent writer and Jnanpith recipient M T Vasudevan Nair has been selected for the Ezhuthachan Award 2011, the highest literary honour established by the Kerala government. The award was announced by the Minister for Culture K C Joseph at a press conference at Kozhikode. The date of presentation of the award will be announced later, the minister said. The winner was selected by a jury chaired by M Leelavathi, famous literary critic in Malayalam. The award is an honour to MT in recognition of his literary career that already celebrated its golden jubilee.
The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 1.5 lakhs, a citation and a statuette. The award used to have Rs. 1 Lakh cash prize. From this year onwards, the government decided to raise the amount of cash prize to Rs. 1.5 Lakhs, as said by the Minister. The Ezhuthachan Award was the instituted in 1993 in the memory of Thunchathathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, known as the father of Malayalam language. Ezhuthachan increased the popularity of the language and literature among the people. It was TM Jacob, the erstwhile Minister of Culture, who took the initiative to launch the award.
Madathil Thekkepaattu Vasudevan Nair, popularly known as MT, is one of the most versatile and prolific writer in modern Malayalam literature. He has also imprinted his signature in Scriptwriting and film direction. His debut novel Nalukettu brought him the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award in 1959. He also won the Jnanpith Award, the most prestigious literary honour in India, in 1995 for the novel 'Randamoozham' (The Second Turn). His literary works extend to various genres like travelogues, short stories, novels, essays, childrens' books and screenplays. Manju, Kaalam, Nalukettu, Asuravithu, Vilapayathra, Pathiravum Pakalvelichavum and Arabipponnu (written with N P Mohammed) are among his greatest novels.

A record four time National Award winner for Screenplay, he has scripted more than 50 movies and directed 7 movies. His National Film Award winning Screenplays are Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989), Kadavu (1991), Sadayam (1992), and Parinayam (1994). He is now reportedly busy in working the script of his famous novel 'Randamoozham' that may bring Superstars Mohanlal and Mammootty on screen together.
As per the jury's opinion, the Ezhuthachan award should have been given to the 78 year old MT earlier. They also opined that with presenting to MT, the worth of the award also would be increased.

The award used to be announced on November 1st every year. But this year it was delayed due to the death of T M Jacob, the minister said.