KOLLAM: Cultural Affairs Minister M A Baby will present the J C Daniel Award for the year 2008 to prominent film producer K Ravindranathan Nair at a function here on July 23. Labour Minister P K Gurudasan will preside over the function to be held at the Sopanam hall at 6 p.m.
The award comprises a cash prize of one lakh rupees, a sculpture and a citation. The award, instituted by the State Government in the name of J C Daniel, who is considered as the father of Malayalam cinema, is presented to those who have made comprehensive contributions to the Malayalam cinema. It was introduced in 1992 and T E Vasudevan was the first winner of the award. Thikkurissi, P Bhaskaran, Abhayadev, A Vincent, K Raghavan Master, V Dakshinamoorthy, G Devarajan Master, M Krishnan Nair, P N Menon, Yesudas, Madhu, Aranmula Ponnamma, Mankada Ravivarma and P Ramadas were the earlier recipients of the award.
Kerala State Chalachithra Academy chairman K R Mohanan and secretary K S Sreekumar said here on Tuesday that the period of new wave films in Malayalam had been recognised by giving the award to Ravindranathan Nair. The films produced by General Pictures have made their impacts on the world cinema itself. Both at the national and international levels, the Malayalam films won laurels through these films.
Mayor N Padmalochanan will drape a ponnada on Ravindranathan Nair at the function. J C Daniel Award jury chairman Adoor Gopalakrishnan will read the citation. District Panchayat president K Somaprasad will release ‘Cinema: Kalayum Mooladhanavum”, a book on Ravindranathan Nair by handing over a copy to KSFDC director-board member P K Gopan.
Cultural department secretary V Venu and organising committee chairman B A Rajakrishnan will offer felicitations. Renowned Gazal singer Umbai will present a Gazal Sandhya.