Kalpetta: Poet and lyricist Rafeeq Ahamed has been conferred with the Padmaprabha Award, instituted in memory of MK Padmaprabha Gowder, a prominent architect of modern Wayanad. The award was presented by former Chief Secretary and renowned poet-lyricist K Jayakumar, while Mathrubhumi Director MK Jinachandran adorned Rafeeq Ahamed with a ceremonial shawl. The award ceremony took place at the Puliyarmala Krishna Gowder Hall.

The award comprises a cash prize of Rs 75,000, a 'gem'-adorned plaque featuring Padmaragam (Ruby), and a citation. The event was presided over by MV Shreyams Kumar, Chairman of the Padmaprabha Memorial Trust and Managing Director of Mathrubhumi.

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The selection committee, chaired by renowned novelist and writer NS Madhavan, alongside poet and prose writer Kalpetta Narayanan and critic S Saradakutty, chose the recipient.

Prominent personalities who attended the event included Mathrubhumi Chairman and Managing Editor PV Chandran, writer and actor VK Sreeraman, reception committee chairman Adv. P Chathukkutty, and writers Subash Chandran, BK Harinarayanan, and Sheela Tomy.