Photo: N.S. Madhavan ( from X)
By Web Desk
Thiruvananthapuram: N.S. Madhavan, a celebrated short story writer and novelist, has been awarded the Ezhuthachan Award, the highest literary honor from the state government for his comprehensive contribution to literature.
Madhavan is known for his consistent vigilance in his writing style and narrative acceptance, transforming real-life experiences into remarkable literary creations through the alchemy of creativity. The award announcement was made at a press conference held at the Secretariat PR Chamber, led by Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cheriyan. C.P. Abu Bakar, Secretary of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, also attended the press conference.
The jury, chaired by S.K. Vasanthan and including members Dr. T.K. Narayanan and Dr. Muse Mary Raj, with C.P. Abu Bakar serving as the member secretary, selected the award recipient. The award includes a cash prize of five lakh rupees, a certificate of recognition, and a plaque.
Born in 1948 in Ernakulam, N.S. Madhavan completed his education at Maharaja’s College, Thiruvananthapuram Mar Ivanios College, and the Department of Economics at Kerala University. He joined the IAS in 1975 and served as a special secretary in the finance department of the Kerala government. He has received numerous accolades, including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, the Odakkuzhal Award, the Padma Prabha Award, and the Muttathu Varkey Award. His work “Litanies of Dutch Battery,” a translation of his novel ‘Lunthan Batheriyile Luthiniyakal’ won the Crossword Award for Best English Translation. His short story “Vanmarangal Veezhumpol ( ‘When the Large Trees Fall’),” based on the events following the assassination of Indira Gandhi, inspired the Hindi film “Kaya Tarang.”
Since 2015, he has been a distinguished member of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi.
Madhavan is married to Sheela Reddy, a book editor of Outlook, an English magazine published in New Delhi. Their daughter, Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan is a well-known blogger and the author of works such as You Are Here, Confessions of a Listmaniac, and Cold Feet.
