Actor Jagathy Sreekumar was handed over the first Kalajyothi Puraskaram instituted by the Kerala Kala Samskarika Vedi, the Kerala Congress (Jacob) party’s arts and cultural wing, here on Wednesday.
The actor, recuperating from a near-fatal accident which occurred two years ago, was given the award at his house near Peyad here. When his wheelchair was rolled out to the porch, and he faced an array of cameras after a long while, a flicker of happiness passed his face. He sat there, silent, watching his grandsons’ antics with affection.
Kerala Congress (Jacob) chairman Johnny Nelloor said there was no confusion about the awardee. “One needs to only glance at the wealth of his works,” he said.
Minister for Transport Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob were present at the function.
His son-in-law Shaun George, also Government Chief Whip P.C. George’s son, introduced the Ministers to him, asking if he remembered them. The actor smiled and responded to their greetings with a nod.
The Ministers lauded the actor’s contribution to cinema and willed him to return once he had made a complete recovery.
His daughter Parvathy said that he would have to return to Christian Medical College, Vellore, a month later for advanced physiotherapy.
