P KESAVADEV AWARDS 2025
Thiruvananthapuram, July 27, 2025 – The 21st P. Kesavadev Awards, held at Hotel Hilton Garden Inn, Thiruvananthapuram, honoured outstanding contributions in the fields of literature and healthcare. This year’s prestigious honours were presented to Dr. Shashi Tharoor, who received the Kesavadev Literary Award for his profound impact on Indian literature and socio-political thought, and Dr. Banshi Saboo, a renowned diabetologist and public health advocate, who was conferred the Kesavadev Diabscreen Kerala Award for his pioneering work in diabetes care, prevention, and education.
The distinguished ceremony was inaugurated by legendary filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, whose thoughtful address set an intellectually engaging tone for the evening. The event was graced by the presence of veteran actor Maniyan Pilla Raju, author Dr. George Onakkoor (Chairman, Literary Award Committee), renowned film critic and committee member Vijayakrishnan, Dr. Jothydev Kesavadev (Managing Trustee, Kesavadev Trust), Sunitha Jothydev (Trust Secretary), and Dr. Arun Shankar (Committee Member), whose collective leadership and dedication ensured the success of the programme. Veteran actor Maniyan Pilla Raju gave a heartfelt keynote speech, remembering the contributions of P. Kesavadev to Kerala’s culture and society. One of the evening’s highlights was session, “An Intellectual Conversation with Dr. Shashi Tharoor,” where he answered questions from the audience about his political and personal journey. The evening concluded with a compelling theatrical adaptation of Odayil Ninnu, the iconic novel by P. Kesavadev, which was later made into a classic Malayalam film. Performed by Narma Kairali team and led by Dr. Thomas Mathew, the drama boldly satirized those who, driven by biased or materialistic views, have sought to misrepresent the novel’s essence. Through sharp commentary and impactful stagecraft, the play defended the authenticity and powerful social realism at the heart of Kesavadev’s work.
Now in its 21st year, the P. Kesavadev Awards continue to serve as a respected platform that celebrates excellence in literature, healthcare, and social commitment, carrying forward the legacy of P. Kesavadev, a visionary writer, fearless reformer, and tireless advocate for the marginalized.
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