Thiruvananthapuram: R Rajasree’s novel ‘Athreyakam’ has been selected for the 50th Vayalar Literary Award, Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Trust announced on Sunday. The award carries a prize of Rs 1 lakh, a bronze statuette designed by sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman and a citation.A jury comprising O V Usha, Subhash Chandran and V V Vijayakumar selected the winner. This year, 1,620 people were told to suggest three books in the initial stage of the selection process, said a statement issued by the trust.Of these, 258 works suggested by 301 people were examined in detail and five books were shortlisted before the final selection was made. Chief minister V D Satheesan will present the award at a function at Nishagandhi Auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram on Oct 27.The function will also mark the conclusion of Vayalar Year 2025-26 celebrations and the 50th death anniversary observances of poet Vayalar Ramavarma.As part of Vayalar Year celebrations, the trust has instituted awards for outstanding studies of Vayalar’s literature. The senior and junior awards, instituted in memory of C V Trivikraman, who served as the trust’s secretary for 45 years, will be presented to M S Uvais, a native of Vengara in Ernakulam, and K A Sreenandana, a student of NSS Hindu College, Changanassery, respectively. Each award carries a cash prize of Rs 15,000, a sculpture and a citation.The trust also announced that this year’s annual scholarship of Rs 5,000 for the student who secures the highest marks in Malayalam as an optional subject at Asan Memorial Higher Secondary School in Chennai will be given to Sukritha K.
