Priya A.S. received Sahitya Akademi Award 2023 for children’s literature: Priya A S, a gifted writer, was awarded the coveted Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2023 in Malayalam for her work “Perumazhayathe Kunjithalukal” (The Children Who Never Withered). This recognition adds to her previous achievement of winning the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Children’s Literature in 2020 for the same novel.
With the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2023, Priya A S’s talent and creativity in children’s literature have been acknowledged once again. Her words connect with readers, capturing their imaginations and leaving an indelible impression. Priya’s writings are expected to inspire and captivate young minds as she continues her literary journey, cultivating a love of reading and storytelling among children.
Recognition for “Perumazhayathe Kunjithalukal”
Priya A S’s novel “Perumazhayathe Kunjithalukal,” published in 2018, has garnered significant acclaim. The book marked the beginning of the children’s literature section in the Malayalam news portal, IE Malayalam, a division of The Indian Express. It was featured as part of the Sammanapothi series by Poorna Books, introducing young readers to captivating narratives.
Priya was inspired to write “Perumazhayathe Kunjithalukal” by the disastrous Kerala floods of 2018. Priya watched the fortitude and solidarity demonstrated by youngsters from varied backgrounds in the face of the tragedy while working at the relief camps set up by the instrumentation department of Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) in Kochi. These experiences formed the backdrop of her novel, providing a unique perspective on the events.
About The Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar
The Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar, awarded by the Sahitya Akademi, carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and an engraved copper plaque. The winners in each language are selected by panels of three members. Dr. Paul Manalil, B S Rajeev, and Mundoor Sethumadhavan served as the jury members for Malayalam. Priya’s novel emerged as the winner among the ten recommended books considered for the award.
Previous Accolades and Achievements
Priya A S’s literary prowess has earned her previous accolades as well. In 2014, she was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize for her Malayalam translation of Arundhati Roy’s Booker Prize-winning novel, “The God of Small Things.” This honour emphasised her talent and commitment to the literary world.
Personal Background and Dedication to Writing
Born in 1967 in Eramalloor, Cherthala, in Kerala’s Alappuzha district, Priya A S pursued her education in English literature at Maharajas’s College in Kochi. She later obtained a master’s degree through a private course. Recently retired as a section officer from Cusat, she currently resides in her ancestral house in Eramalloor with her parents and her son Tanmoy. Writing has been a passionate pursuit for Priya, and her dedication to storytelling has brought her well-deserved recognition.
