Noted Malayalam poetess Vijayalakshmi was awarded the third OV Vijayan Sahitya Puraskaram for her work, Vijayalakshmiyude Kavithakal, here on Sunday. The award, consisting of a memento, a cash prize of Rs 50,001 and a citation, was given away by renowned Oriya writer and Jnanpith awardee Dr Pratibha Ray, renowned Malayalam writer T Padmanabhan and Telugu writer Munipalle Raju.
The award was instituted by Hyderabad-based Naveena Samskarika Kala Kendram (NSKK) in 2011 in memory of celebrated Malayalam novelist and cartoonist OV Vijayan who passed away in 2005.
A jury consisting of five Malayalam literary stalwarts selected Vijayalakshmi from 10 established poets who were short-listed from 100 contenders..
Vijayalakshmi is also a recipient of other awards including the prestigious Indira Gandhi Sahitya Award and the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award. Her notable works include Mrigasikshakam, Thachante Makal, Mazhathan Mattetho Mutham and Jnana Magdalena.
Every year the award is given away in a different genre of Malayalam literature _ novel, poetry and short-story. This year it was given to Vijayalakshmi in recognition of her poetry. In the preceding years it was given to novel and short-story writers Sarah Joseph and Zacharia respectively in 2011 and 2012.
Earlier in the day a poets’ meet was held which saw representation from Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Urdu, Telugu and Kannada languages. KP Thampan, chairman of NSKK, congratulated Vijayalakshmi.