Kerala Governor Arif Muhammad Khan has presented maiden ‘Kerala Puraskarngal’, the state awards to the eminent personalities who have made an outstanding contribution in various spheres of social life.
The awards were given in three categories namely “Kerala Jyothi”, “Kerala Prabha” and “Kerala Shri”.
Kerala’s highest civilian honour “Kerala Jyothi” was awarded to writer M T Vasudevan Nair.
The second-highest award “Kerala Prabha” was shared by actor Mammootty, former civil service officer T Madhava Menon and writer Omchery NN Pillai.
Kerala Shri Puraskaram has been awarded to writer and activist MP Parameswaran, magician Gopinath Muthukad, sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman, businessman and social worker Kochouseph Chittilappilly, musician Vaikom Vijayalakshmi and biologist Sathyabhama Das Biju.
In 2021, the government of Kerala instituted the civilian award “Kerala Puraskarangal” on the model of the Padama awards.
