Artist Namboothiri has been presented with the P.P. Ummer Koya Foundation Award at a function here.
Speaking after presenting the award on Sunday, instituted in the name of the late Gandhian and former Education Minister of the State, writer and Jnanpith laureate M.T. Vasudevan Nair said Mr. Namboothiri was one of the gifted talents of our time.
“It is a noble and notable gesture on the part of the foundation to select Mr. Namboothiri for this award, which is instituted in the name of a great soul,” said the writer.
M.T. said he knew Mr. Koya closely mainly through writer and close friend N.P. Mohammed, who also hailed from Kozhikode. The current political scenario did not have many politicians of the stature of Mr. Koya in terms of his integrity, honesty, and selflessness.
“Any award in his name is an esteemed honour, and Mr. Namboothiri is uniquely worthy of it,” he said.
A citation lauding the invaluable contributions of the artist was also presented to Mr. Namboothiri by M.T. on the occasion. Foundation president K.V. Kunhammad, who presided over the function, presented Mr. Namboothiri with a ponnada . Foundation vice president K. Moidu introduced the award winner to the audience. Members including Kattayattu Venugopal and T.K.A. Asees among others spoke.
