Kerala Sahitya Akademi award recipient Prof. Joseph Mattam was felicitated at a function held as part of the ongoing 27th Darsana International Book Fair here on Thursday.
Prof. Mattam had been selected for lifetime achievement award category for his contributions to Malayalam literature. In his presidential address, former head of Malayalam department of the Madurai Kamaraj university C. J. Roy said that Prof. Mattam was one among the few remaining writers who stood for ‘dharma' in literary works.
Renowned artist and former Kerala Lalithakala Akademi chairman M.V. Devan presented Prof. Mattam with a ‘ponnada' and a citation. Mr. Devan also said that only good works of art and literature would survive the onslaught of time. He also elaborated on the revival of art and culture in nations like Italy and Greece. Publisher Kiliroor Radhakrishnan welcomed the gathering. Darsana Cultural Centre Thomas Puthussery also spoke on the occasion.
