Thiruvananthapuram: Writer Paul Zacharia bagged this year’s Ezhuthachan award for his comprehensive contribution to literature.
Minister for culture A K Balan said the award will be presented at Durbar Hall in Secretariat and the date would soon be finalized.
The jury led by Vysakhan also included K Sachithanandan, M Thomas Mathew, K G Paulose and secretary for culture Rani George.
“Zacharia laid the foundation in neo-sensibility through a combination of humour and anguish. He was also able to constantly invoke thoughts in Malayalis through his articles, lectures in which he shared his independent views on issues impacting social life,” the jury said.
Zacharia was born on June 5, 1945, in Kottayam. He is the winner of Kerala Sahitya Academy Award, Kendra sahitya Academy Award, VKN Award, Odakuzhal Award and Muttathu Varkey Award. His works have been translated into other Indian languages, English, German and French. ‘Salam America’, ‘Oridathu’, ‘Arkariyam’, ‘Praise the Lord’, ‘Oru African Yatra’ are some of his major works.