It is two years since the poet left this world. However, his presence has been with us in spirit and through his poetry.
It is a
matter of great blessing to us, the poet's family, that the second edition of the K. T. Krishna Variar Smrtipuraskaram was accepted by one of the writers of the highest
stature in Malayalam literature. The award was
presented to Dr. M. Leelavathy by the late poet's wife Jayasree Variar at a quiet function at the former's residence, in the presence of the members of both families, on December 3, 2024. The first edition of the Smrtipuraskaram was
graciously received by the renowned poet and critic N. K. Desam, known for his precise and metrical poetry, in 2023.
The award, which includes a plaque and a cash prize of Rs. 30,000, honours Dr. Leelavathy’s lifetime work and contribution to Malayalam literature.
A writer, literary critic, poet and educationist, Dr. Leelavathy, who has won many prestigious literature awards, has also been honoured with the Padma Shri in 2008. Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, the country’s highest literary honour, was bestowed on her in 2020. She is one of the six writers in Malayalam to have received this great recognition, the others on the list being Vaikom Muhammad Basheer (1970), Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai (1989), Balamani Amma (1994), Kovilan (2004) and M. T. Vasudevan Nair (2013).
The Odakkuzhal Award, Vallathol Award,
Basheer Award, Vayalar Award, Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, O. N. V. Literary Award
and Thakazhi Memorial Award are some of the other prominent awards that have come Dr. Leelavathy's way. She has numerous works to her credit covering a wide range of
genres including essays, literary criticisms and in-depth reviews of poetry,
biographies and an autobiography, and poetry. Akkithathinte Kavitha, O. N.
V. Kavithapatanangal, Vailoppilli
Kavithapatanam, Kavithayude
Vishnulokam, and Balamani Ammayude
Kavithalokangal are some of her in-depth studies of the works of the
respective titular poets. Appuvinte Anweshanam, Varnaraji, Kavitharathi,
and Navatharangam are some of her other renowned works.
Leelavathy Teacher, as she's fondly referred to, had written a foreword to K. T. Krishna Variar's collection of poems, Chathwarathile Parvakal (1994), which she was quick to recall on this occasion. A few other works by the late poet include Sindooracheppu, a collection of his selected poems, Soundaryalahari (translation) and Bhashabhagavadgita (translation).
We are thankful to the media for their timely support and wide coverage.
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