Padmarajan awards: Chandramathi wins best novel, Dinjith Ayyathan wins best director for Eko

The 35th P. Padmarajan Awards for excellence in literature and cinema for 2025 have been announced in Thiruvananthapuram, recognising outstanding contributions in novels, short stories, and film.

In the literary category, Chandramathi won the Best Novel Award for Ozhukatha Oru Puzha, while Shanoj R. Chandran was selected as Best Short Story writer for Arappathiri. The winners will receive ₹20,000 and ₹15,000 respectively, along with a plaque and certificate of merit.

In the film segment, Dinjith Ayyathan was awarded Best Director for the film Eko, while Bahul Ramesh received the Best Screenwriter award for the same film. Ayyathan will receive ₹25,000 along with a plaque and certificate, while Ramesh will be awarded ₹15,000 and a certificate of merit.

The Vismayasmax Young Talent Award was presented to Mithun Krishna for his debut novel Aparasamudra, recognising emerging literary talent.

The film jury was chaired by writer-director Madhupal, with critic Sulochana Rammohan and film critic Vijayakrishnan as members. The literary jury was headed by writer S. Hareesh, with writer Rahul Radhakrishnan and Pradeep Panangad as members.

According to Padmarajan Trust officials Vijayakrishnan (Chairman), Pradeep Panangad (General Secretary), and A. Chandrasekhar (Secretary), the awards will be formally presented in August.

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