The Vallathol award is a prestigious award for significant contributions to Malayalam literature. This award is given by the Vallathol Sahitya Samithi and was instituted in the year 1991 in remembrance of the great poet Vallathol Narayana Menon. The winner of this award receives Rs. 1,11,111 as a cash prize and a memorable badge.
The first Vallathol award winner is Pala Narayanan Nair for his outstanding contribution to Malayalam literature. He won the Vallathol award in the year 1991. A total of 29 Vallathol awards are given till the year 2019. The first female recipient of the Vallathol award is Balamani Amma, who won it in the year 1993. The last winner of the Vallathol Award is Paul Zacharia in the year 2019. The winner list from the year 2020 to 2025 is not announced till now.
About the first Vallathol award winner
Pala Narayanan Nair is the first Vallathol award winner who was born on 11th December, 1911. He had been awarded this prestigious award for his remarkable contribution to Malayalam poetry. His most acclaimed literary work is “Keralam Valarunnu,” which was published in 10 volumes in the year 1953. He was best known as “Mahakavi” for his incredible creation of this epic. Apart from this, he had received the Ulloor Ward, Mathrubhoomi Puraskar, Puthezhan Award, and Ezhuthachchan Puraskar award. He was also nominated as the first secretary of the Kerala Sahitya Academy. This genius Malayalam Mahakavi departed from this world on 11th June, 2008, and created a vacancy.
About the Vallathol Award
The Vallathol award was first conferred in the year 1991 in remembrance of Vallathol Narayana Menon, who was a great Malayalam triumvirate poet. He was one of the best modern Malayalam poets, as famous as poet Asan and Ullor. He was honored with the title “Mahakavi” after publishing “Mahakavya Chitrayogam” in the year 1913. He had also written a series of poems on the Indian freedom movement and founded “Kerala Kalamandalam.” He was famous for his great involvement in the revival of Kathakali art in modern Kerala, which has gotten a new dimension with his effort. He was also awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third prestigious Indian highest civilian award, for his great contribution to Indian literature.
List of Vallathol Award winner
| Year | Name |
| 2015 | Anand |
| 2016 | Sreekumaran Thampi |
| 2017 | Prabha Varma |
| 2018 | M. Mukundan |
| 2019 | Paul Zacharias |
FAQ
Who is the first recipient of the Vallathol award?
Pala Narayanan Nair
In which year was the Vallathol award given for the first time?
The award was first given in the year 1991 for the great contribution to Malayalam literature.
The Vallathol award is given in remembrance of which poet?
The Vallathol award is conferred to the most eligible person of Malayalam literature in the memory of Vallathol Narayana Menon.
Who instituted the Vallathol award?
Vallathol Sahitya Samithi gives this award to honor the Malayalam literary laureate.
Who is the last recipient of the Vallathol award?
Paul Zacharias is the last recipient of this award.
Who is the Vallathol award winner in 2024?
The name is not announced yet. The award was last given in the year 2019.
