Thiruvananthapuram: The state govt’s highest literary honour, Ezhuthachan Puraskaram for 2026, will be awarded to writer Maythil Radhakrishnan, said tourism and culture minister P C Vishnunadh. The award comprises a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, a citation and a plaque.Vishnunadh said that the award will be presented to the writer at a function in Kozhikode this month and the date will be decided based on the convenience of the writer and chief minister V D Satheesan. The jury, comprising writers KGS, Kalpetta Narayanan, K Satchidanandan and Sara Joseph, unanimously selected the award winner, he added.The jury observed that Radhakrishnan is a writer who has created new sensibilities in Malayalam literature through his unique aesthetic awareness and extraordinary intellectual ability. He has emerged as a significant presence in the postmodern era by creatively combining science, philosophy and psychology, the jury noted.“Although he writes across diverse genres, including novels, short stories, poetry and scientific essays, a unifying philosophical thread runs consistently through all his works. He is also a writer who has inspired and influenced the younger generation of contemporary writers,” the jury said.The jury observed that Radhakrishnan is a poet in every sense of the word. “Not only when writing poetry, but also when composing a story, essay or novel—or even a short note—he remains a poet at heart.”His works contain a Kalidasean sensibility, visible in the imagery of seeing the headscarf of a woman in a melted wax candle and seeing a Buddha temple in a snail’s shell. His writings — including Sangeetham Oru Samayakalayanu, Hitchcockinte Idapedal, Kayarinte Attam, Nayakanmar Shavapedakathil, Melinjavarude Manashastram and Enganeyoru Pazhutharaye Kollam — are multilayered structures that cannot be confined to a single interpretation.Born on Aug 24, 1944, in Alathur of Palakkad district, Radhakrishnan’s essays are distinguished by his profound interest in diverse subjects such as world poetry, philosophy, environment, music, anthropology, history and entomology.The jury stated that Radhakrishnan was fully deserving of the award named after Ezhuthachan, who created a new poetic language for Malayalam and who, for decades, continued to bring innovation to the language.The jury also observed that Radhakrishnan’s works, which constantly inspire readers to renew their tastes and sensibilities, have created a major turning point in the evolution of Malayalam literature.
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