Thiruvananthapuram: The government will provide the highest literary award, Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, for the year 2021, on veteran writers and novelist P Valcala for his literary contribution.
This award consists of RS 5 Lakh, quotes and placards.
The winner was chosen by the committee led by Sahithya Academy President Vysakhan and members, including B Ekbal, Alankode Leelakrishnan, Ken Kunjahammed and Secretary (cultural affairs) Rani George.
The jury observed that a writer who could beg for a marginalized life, Valsala managed to describe the regional heritage and state race in his writing.
He gave enough space for voices that were ignored and support-less in his work.
He also dreamed of freedom from all types of orthodoxy.
He always raised his voice and his opinions on all types of social or environmental problems and can beg for a new imagination school in Malayalam language by bringing minority everyday life, Dalit and tribes in his work, the jury observes.
Born in 1938 in Kozhikode, P Valsala was a teacher with a profession for a long time.
He retired as the principal of a government training school in Kozhikode.
He has served as President of the Academy of Kerala Sahith in 2010-11.
He also served as a member of the Academy General Council.
He has won several other awards, including the Kerala Sahithya academy award, Kumkumam award, Muttathu Varkey Puraskaram and Padma Prabha Puraskaram.