Writer E. Santhosh Kumar has been chosen as the recipient of the 49th Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Literary Award for his novel Tapomayiyude Achan. The award, instituted by the Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Trust, comprises a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, a sculpture designed by Kanayi Kunhiraman, and a citation. A three-member judging committee, consisting of writers T.D. Ramakrishnan, Priya A.S., and N.P. Hafiz Mohamed, made the unanimous selection after an initial screening of approximately 300 books. The announcement occurred at a press conference on Sunday, October 5, 2025. N.P. Hafiz Mohamed noted Tapomayiyude Achan as a significant work of fiction addressing the global issue of migration, highlighting its inventive language and narrative craft, and its setting in North East India. Mr. Santhosh Kumar, who has previously won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award twice, will receive the honor at a ceremony scheduled for October 27, coinciding with Vayalar’s death anniversary.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/vayalar-award-for-e-santhosh-kumar/article70127706.ece