K.V. Mohankumar’s novel Ushnarashi-Karappurathinte Ithihasam has been chosen for this year’s Vayalar Rama Varma Literary Prize. The novel has been chosen for the award by a three-member jury comprising of M.R. Thampan, M.S. Geetha and Bettymol Mathew.
The award, in its 42nd year, will be presented to Mr. Mohankumar at a function at the Nishagandhi auditorium here at 5.30 p.m. on October 27, the death anniversary of the late poet and lyricist Vayalar Rama Varma. It carries a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, a citation, and a statuette designed by sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman.
Announcing the award, writer M.K. Sanoo, president, Vayalar Rama Varma Memorial Trust, said the jury had arrived at a unanimous decision in choosing the novel for the award.
The award was decided over three phases. In the first phase, the trust had asked 310 readers to choose five books. Out of this, 102 individuals responded, with 123 suggestions. From this, five works that had got the most points were sent to a 20-member committee of writers. The top three selections from this committee was submitted to the three-member judging committee.
“ Ushnarashi is a work in which past, present and the future gel seamlessly. The book is set around the Punnapra-Vayalar struggle. But it looks at that time from the viewpoint of the present generation. The writer has approached it from a historian’s neutral viewpoint. The novel also touches upon the Paris Commune, the Bolshevik Revolution and Maoism. He brings a poetic touch to his writing, yet retains simplicity,” said Mr. Thampan.
Ms. Geetha said the novel handles an issue that was relevant now. Ms. Bettymol said it could be called a historic novel, but a novel with a historic background.
The Vayalar trust has completed the renovation of a smrithi mandapam near Rama Varma’s house ‘Raghavaparambu’. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the renovated mandapam, named ‘Chandrakalabham,’ in November.
