Thiruvananthapuram: Noted writer V. J. James bagged this year’s Vayalar Rama Varma Literary Award for the novel ‘Nireeshwaran’. A jury headed by writer Perumbadavam Sreedharan announced the award here on Saturday. The award comprises of a purse of Rs 1 lakh, a sculpture designed by Kanayi Kunhiraman and a felicitation letter.
Hailing from Vazhappilli in Changanassery, V. J. James is author of seven novels and five short story collections in Malayalam. He is employed as an engineer in Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. His major works include ‘Purappadinte Pusthakam’, ‘Chorashasthram’, ‘Leyka’, ‘Ottakkaalan Kakka’ and ‘Anticlock’. He has also bagged many honours including Malayattoor Prize, Basheer Award, Thoppil Ravi Award, Thikkurissi Award and O V Vijayan Memorial Literary Award.
Earlier, writer Prof. M. K. Sanu, who previously headed the Vayalar award committee, had criticised the award selection process. He resigned from the committee the other day citing health issues. However, he later told Mathrubhumi News that he resigned due to external pressure to choose an undeserving work for the award.
Sanu revealed that the book by V. J. James had scored the highest in evaluation, but the jury was pressurized to choose another work for the award. Following this, the committee with Perumbadavam Sreedharan as the new head announced the award without giving room to further controversies.
