Kozhikode: The prestigious Mathrubhumi Literary Award 2023 will be bestowed on Paul Zacharia, better known as Zacharia, the irreplaceable writer in Malayalam who has carved his own niche in the Malayalam literary world with his matchless stories and novellas, besides travelogues that sweep across the globe. The award comprises an amount of Rs 3 Lakh, citation and plaque of appreciation. 

The awardee was selected by a jury, comprising president Prof  M K Sanu and members C Radhakrishnan and Sara Joseph, announced Mathrubhumi Managing Director M V Shreyams Kumar and Chairman and Mangaing Editor P V Chandran. 

The jury has evaluated the works of Zacharia as the ones that broke the traditional narrative through one man revolution inspiring the new generation of writers. 

Zacharia, born at Urulikunnam in Kottayam, has been active in the publishing and media sector for around 20 years in Delhi, and has published over 50 books in various literary branches. Some of his noted works include short novels such as ‘Enthundu Vishesham Pilothose?’, ‘Bhaskara Patelarum Ente Jeevithavum’, and ‘Ithanente Peru’, stories of the like ‘Theevandikkolla’, ‘Unni Enna Kutti’, ‘Oridathu’ and travelogus like ‘Oru African Yathra’ and ‘Sancharapusthakam’. He has also written an Engilsh novel, ‘A Secret History of Compassion’.