Kala Puraskaram

Kala Puraskaram awarded to Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma

Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma is a prominent Malayalam lyricist and poet, widely regarded for his contributions to Malayalam cinema and devotional music. As the son of the revered poet Vayalar Ramavarma, Sarath Chandra Varma upholds his father’s literary legacy while carving out his own place in the Malayalam music industry. Over the years, Varma has won multiple awards, including the Asianet Film Award for Best Lyricist and the P. Bhaskaran Award. His lyrics are known for their emotional depth and poetic quality, resonating strongly with audiences. His acclaimed works include songs from films such as Mizhi Randilum, Neelathaamara and Ayalum Njanum Thammil, showcasing his ability to blend traditional and contemporary themes with artistic finesse.

Kala Puraskaram awarded to Ambalapuzha Suresh Varma

Ambalapuzha Suresh Varma is a prominent Ottan Thullal artist from Kerala, recognized for his vibrant performances and dedication to the art form for over 29 years. A native of Ambalappuzha in the Alappuzha district, Varma developed his passion for Thullal during his school years and received formal training under Guru Vayalar Krishnankutty at the Kunjan Nambiar Memorial. His performances reflect the traditional roots of Thullal while sometimes adapting contemporary themes, showcasing the art form’s social relevance. His family background in the arts, with his father being a mridangam artist, further enriched his artistic foundation and support network. Varma continues to uphold and popularize this classical folk art, which combines humor, satire, and rhythmic storytelling, making it accessible to new generations in Kerala and beyond

Kala Puraskaram awarded to Njeralathu Harigovindan

Uniquely Keralan, the Sopana Sangeetham originated in the triad of song, instrumental and dance and the blending of styles of the traditional Kavu Pattu with Ashtapadi. The evolution of Kerala music can be traced back to this art form. Reduced to a ritual, this art was on the verge of extinction when a new revival occurred. This award is a testimony to that.
Njeralathu Harigovindan is at the spearhead of that revival, which started with his father Njeralathu Rama Poduval, who brought Sopana Sangeetham out of the temple walls to the streets. Harigovindan went further spreading the artform with a missionary zeal. He liberated Sopana Sangeetham from its location, the traditional content and the theme making it a musical tradition rather than a ritual, ensuring its continuity

Kala Puraskaram for 2018 was awarded to Prof V Madhusoodanan Nair

A poet who unfettered Malayalam poetry from the limits of letters and broke it into the world of sounds; Professor Madhusoodanan Nair is presently the foremost oral poet in Kerala. “It is the eminence that prompted KALA to award him Kala Puraskaram 2018 for pushing the frontiers of Malayalam poetry”

Kala Puraskaram awarded to Pandit Ramesh Narayan

Padit Ramesh has been a fan of music from childhood and hails from a very talented musical family – his father, the late Narayana Bhagavathar, was a well-known musician of his time and his mother, blessed with priceless Swarashuddhi. His own little family made up of wife, Hema, and daughters Madhuvanti and Madhushree, are also musically gifted.

Kala Puraskaram was awarded to Kudamaloor Janardanan.