Thrissur: Renowned poetess Sugathakumari has been selected for Poonthanam Award, instituted by Guruvayur Devaswom Board in memory of Poonthanam Namboodiri.
The award that comprises a cash prize of Rs 25000, memento, certificate and a shawl is given to a renowned person in the world of Malayalam literature every year.
Sugathakumari, an established writer in Malayalam with a unique voice of her own emotional empathy, humanist sensitivity and moral alertness, has been at the forefront of environmental and feminist movements in the State.
The former chairperson of the Kerala State Women's Commission, Sugathakumari has won numerous awards and recognitions including Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award (1968), Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award (1978), Odakkuzhal Award (1982), Vayalar Award (1984), Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra Award (1986), Asan Prize (1991), Vallathol Award (2003), Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (2004), Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2009) and Saraswati Samman (2012). In 2006, she was honoured with Padma Shri, the country's fourth highest civilian honour.
The award will be presented at the Poonthanam Day festival 2017 at Guruvayur Shri Krishna Temple on 2 March.