Malayalam writer bags O V Vijayan literature award

KOCHI: Malayalam writer Ushakumari has won this year's prestigious O V Vijayan Literature Award for her novel 'Chithirapurathe Janaki'.

The honour, named after eminent novelist and cartoonist O V Vijayan, carries a cash prize of Rs 50,001, a statuette sculptured by noted sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman and a citation, said office bearers of Hyderabad-based Naveena Samskarika Kala Kendram (NSKK), which instituted the award, here today.

An award committee, comprising writers N S Madhavan, Dr Azad and Usha Nampoothirippad, which chose the book for the recognition, were of the opinion that the novel is an outstanding creation in terms of telling the story of a woman's life in a remote village in the hills in 21st century Kerala.

'Chithirapurathe Janaki' is the second novel of Ushakumari, who runs a textile shop in a village called Vellathooval, in Kerala's Idukki district.

The award will be presented to the writer on November 8 at a function to be organised at NSKK School in Hyderabad.

NSKK chairman K P Thampan, convenor Nandakumar, Award jury chairman N S Madhavan and chief advisor C R Neelakantan addressed the press conference.