Veteran writer M T Vasudevan Nair presented the 19th Pravasi Doha Basheer award to actor Madhu at a function held at Kochi on Friday.
M T said that there was a time when the society and media turned against Madhu.
“There were many efforts from all quarters to annihilate him.
But he survived all those attempts and proved to the world that he could not be subdued or conquered,” he said.
‘’In the initial days of film world, I had yearned to see Madhu as an accomplished actor,’’ said the veteran writer. Madhu, in his reply, thanked every one for the recognition.
The award has been instituted by Pravasi Doha, an organisation of Malayalees based in Qatar, and Kochi-based Pravasi Trust, in memory of writer Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.
The award carries a prize of Rs 50,000 and a sculpture designed by artist Namboothiri.
The award amount was presented to Madhu by Basheer’s son Anees Basheer. Suneer P Ilayidam delivered the commemorative speech.
He said that Basheer was a writer of the masses.
Tony Alappat distributed the Prof M N Vijayan memorial endowment award. Changampuzha Samskarika kendram president K Balachandran presided over.
Script writer John Paul, Pravasi Doha Chairman C V Rappai, Pravasi Trust managing trustee Babu Mather, were also present.