Abu Dhabi Sakthi Award is a literary award instituted by UAE-based Abu Dhabi Sakthi Theatres and awarded to writers in Malayalam literature. Instituted in 1987, it is given in various categories such as novel, story, poetry, drama, literary criticism, scholarly literature and children's literature. The award for literary criticism is named Sakthi Thayat Award (after writer Thayat Sankaran, given since 1989), the award instituted for overall contributions is named T. K. Ramakrishnan Award (after communist politician T. K. Ramakrishnan, given since 2007), and the award for other categories of literature is named Sakthi Erumeli Award (after Erumeli Parameswaran Pillai, renamed since 2014).[1][2]
List of recipients
| Year | Award | Awardee | Work | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Novel | Pangil Bhaskaran | Bhrithyanmar | Template:Center |
| Story | Jacob Nayathodu | Kavalkkar | Template:Center | |
| Poetry | Prabha Varma | Mrithyumjayam | Template:Center | |
| Drama | K. M. Raghavan Nambiar | Kalakootam | ||
| 1988 | Novel | C. Radhakrishnan | Munpe Parakkunna Pakshikal | Template:Center |
| Story | Sivaraman Cheriyanad | Peruchazhikalude Maalam | Template:Center | |
| Poetry | Unnikrishnan Kanjirathanam | Agnipanchakam | Template:Center | |
| K. P. Mohammed | Ottakangalkkoru Geetham | Template:Center | ||
| Abraham | Villi | Template:Center | ||
| Scholarly literature | M. Kuttikrishnan | Vyloppilli Kavithakal | Template:Center | |
| Children's literature | Alinthara G. Krishna Pillai | Anachilandikal | Template:Center | |
| 1989 | Sakthi Thayat Award | P. Vijayan | Template:— | Template:Center |
| 1990 | Sakthi Thayat Award | S. Sudheesh | Template:— | Template:Center |
| 1991 | Sakthi Thayat Award | Hariharan Poonjar | Template:— | Template:Center |
| 1992 | Sakthi Thayat Award | Dr. S. Rajashekaran | Template:— | Template:Center |
| 1993 | Novel | U. A. Khader | Oru Pidi Vattu | Template:Center |
| Story | Asokan Charuvil | Parichitha Gandhangal | Template:Center | |
| Sakthi Thayat Award | Dr. Azad | Template:— | Template:Center | |
| 1994 | Scholarly literature | Dharmaraj Adat | Template:— | Template:Center |
| Sakthi Thayat Award | Prof. M. M. Narayanan | Template:— | Template:Center | |
| 1995 | Poetry | Lalitha Lenin | Karkidakavavu | Template:Center |
| Sakthi Thayat Award | E. P. Rajagopalan | Template:— | Template:Center | |
| 1996 | Sakthi Thayat Award | P. K. Pokker | Aadhunikotharathayude Keraleeya Parisaram | Template:Center |
| 1997 | Novel | K. Radhakrishnan | Samanathalam | Template:Center |
| Poetry | Iyyamcode Sreedharan | Sangha Ganam | Template:Center | |
| Children's literature | C. R. Das | Chimbuvum Meetuvum | Template:Center | |
| Sakthi Thayat Award | Dr. P. Geetha | Template:— | Template:Center | |
| 1998 | Sakthi Thayat Award | Prayar Prabhakaran | Template:— | Template:Center |
| 1999 | Novel | Narayan | Kocharethi | Template:Center |
| Sakthi Thayat Award | Dr. K. S. Ravikumar | Template:— | Template:Center | |
| 2000 | Story | S. V. Venugopan Nair | Veedinte Nanartham | Template:Center |
| Sakthi Thayat Award | G. Madhusudhanan | Kathayum Paristhithiyum | Template:Center | |
| 2001 | Sakthi Thayat Award | Dr. N. Rajan | Template:— | Template:Center |
| 2002 | Novel | Akbar Kakkattil | Vadakkuninnoru Kudumba Vrithaantham | Template:Center |
| Story | K. R. Mallika | Template:— | ||
| Poetry | Desamangalam Ramakrishnan | Template:— | ||
| Drama | Pirappancode Murali | Template:— | ||
| Scholarly literature | Dr. K. G. Paulose | Template:— | ||
| Children's literature | Kureepuzha Sreekumar | Template:— | ||
| K. Sreekumar | Jeemaji | Template:Center | ||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | Dr. P. Soman | Template:— | Template:Center | |
| 2003 | Sakthi Thayat Award | Dr. Babu | Template:— | Template:Center |
| Dr. Jacob Issac Kalimadom | Template:— | |||
| 2004 | Sakthi Thayat Award | Dr. M. Leelavathy | Template:— | Template:Center |
| 2005 | Novel | Ambikasuthan Mangad | Template:— | Template:Center |
| Story | Sreevaraham Balakrishnan | Template:— | ||
| Poetry | Puthussery Ramachandran | Template:— | ||
| Drama | Suresh Babu Sreestha | Template:— | ||
| Scholarly literature | Perumpuzha Gopalakrishnan | Template:— | ||
| N. E. Balakrishnan | Template:— | |||
| Kalamandalam Hyderali | Template:— | |||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | Dr. V. Sukumaran | Template:— | Template:Center | |
| 2006 | Story | Satheesh Babu Payyannur | Scene Over | Template:Center |
| Sakthi Thayat Award | Dr. K. H. Subrahmanyan | Template:— | Template:Center | |
| 2007 | T. K. Ramakrishnan Award | Dr. P. K. R. Warrier | Overall contributions | Template:Center |
| Novel | S. R. Lal | Template:— | Template:Center | |
| Story | N. Rajan | Template:— | ||
| Poetry | Amrutha | Template:— | ||
| Divakaran Vishnumangalam | Template:— | |||
| Drama | Gireesh Gramika | Template:— | ||
| Scholarly literature | P. Govinda Pillai | Template:— | ||
| Children's literature | Muhamma Ramanan | Template:— | ||
| Other category literature | Karthyayani Kutty Amma | Template:— | ||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | C. R. Prasad | Malayalakavitha Adhunikanantharam | Template:Center | |
| 2008 | T. K. Ramakrishnan Award | K. Mohanan | Overall contributions | Template:Center |
| Novel | Benyamin | Aadujeevitham | Template:Center | |
| Sakthi Thayat Award | Dr. K. P. Mohanan | Template:— | Template:Center | |
| 2009 | T. K. Ramakrishnan Award | Dr. P. K. Warrier | Overall contributions | Template:Center |
| Novel | Simon Britto | Agragami | Template:Center | |
| Story | Subhash Chandran | Parudeesa Nashtam | ||
| Poetry | Chavara K. S. Pillai | Pachayum Kathiyum | ||
| Drama | Francis T. Mavelikkara | Ayalkoottam | ||
| Scholarly literature | M. P. Veerendra Kumar | Amazonum Kure Vyakulathakalum | ||
| C. Bhaskaran | Indian Communist Prasthanam Aadya Padhikar | |||
| Children's literature | M. S. Kumar | Pullinangi | ||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | Sunil P. Ilayidom | Template:— | Template:Center | |
| 2010 | T. K. Ramakrishnan Award | K. K. N. Kurup | Overall contributions | Template:Center |
| Novel | A. P. Jyothirmayi | Template:— | ||
| Story | K. K. Ramesh | Template:— | ||
| Poetry | Sivadas Purameri | Template:— | ||
| Drama | Template:— | Template:— | ||
| Scholarly literature | Kavumbayi Balakrishnan | Template:— | ||
| Children's literature | K. G. Raghunath | Pirannal Sammanam | ||
| Other category literature | Kilimanoor Chandran | Raja Ravi Varmayude Nizhalil Manjupoya Raja Raja Varma | ||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | P. Appukkuttan | Template:— | ||
| 2011 | T. K. Ramakrishnan Award | Kanayi Kunhiraman | Overall contributions | Template:Center |
| Novel | Vipin | Ormayil Sheshikkunnath | ||
| Story | T. P. Venugopalan | Kettal Changu Pottunna Oronnu | ||
| Poetry | Meloor Vasudevan | Ottukarante Mozhi | ||
| Drama | A. Santha Kumar | Karutha Vidhava | ||
| Scholarly literature | Dr. Arif Ali Kolethekkat | Template:— | ||
| Children's literature | K. Pappootty | Shahinayude School | ||
| B. Sandhya | Attakkilikunnile Athbhudangal | |||
| Other category literature | M. K. Sanu | Overall contributions | ||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | P. S. Radhakrishnan | Template:— | ||
| 2012 | T. K. Ramakrishnan Award | Payyappilly Balan | Overall contributions | Template:Center |
| Novel | R. Unnimadhavan | Sirasi | ||
| Story | Susmesh Chandroth | Barcode | ||
| Poetry | V. G. Thampi | Nagnan | ||
| Drama | M. N. Vinaya Kumar | Mariman Kanni | ||
| Scholarly literature | M. R. Raghava Varier | Jainamatham Keralathil | ||
| Children's literature | Parvathi Devi R. | Pathram Pathram Kuttikale | ||
| Other category literature | Lonappan Nambadan | Sancharikkunna Viswasi | ||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | V. Lissy Mathew | Ival Pookkum Ilanji Marangal | ||
| 2013 | T. K. Ramakrishnan Award | Prof. M. K. Sanu | Overall contributions | Template:Center |
| Novel | E. P. Hamsakutty | Template:— | Template:Center | |
| Story | C. P. Biju | Template:— | ||
| Poetry | Sheeja Vakkom | Template:— | ||
| Drama | Gopinath Kozhikode | Template:— | ||
| Scholarly literature | Sunil P. Ilayidom | Template:— | ||
| Children's literature | M. S. Kumar | Template:— | ||
| Other category literature | K. Rajagopalan | Template:— | ||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | Dr. Pallipuram Murali | Template:— | Template:Center | |
| 2014 | T. K. Ramakrishnan Award | V. Aravindakshan | Overall contributions | Template:Center |
| Novel | Satheesh Babu Payyannur | Ulkhananangal | ||
| Story | Asokan Charuvil | Novellakal | ||
| E. P. Sreekumar | Currency[3] | |||
| Poetry | S. Ramesan | Hemanthathile Pakshi | ||
| Sarath Chandralal | Sarath Chandralalinte Naalu Kavyangal | |||
| Drama | Rajmohan Neeleswaram | Veyilinte Niram | ||
| Scholarly literature | Shibu Muhammed | Udalukal Padumpol | ||
| Children's literature | M. M. Sacheendran | Nayattu | ||
| Sakthi Erumeli Award | E. M. Radha | EMS: Makalude Ormakal | ||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | M. M. Basheer | Thiricharivukal | ||
| 2015 | T. K. Ramakrishnan Award | M. V. Vishnu Namboothiri | Overall contributions | Template:Center |
| N. V. P. Unithiri | Overall contributions | |||
| Novel | K. P. Ramanunni | Daivathinte Pusthakam | ||
| Story | Arshad Bathery | Meenukalude Akashavum Paravakalude Bhoomiyum | ||
| Poetry | Ezhacherry Ramachandran | Ilathumbile Vajradaaham | ||
| Drama | Prasanth Narayanan | Chayamukhi[4] | ||
| Scholarly literature | Dr. B. Ekbal | Indian Oushadha Mekhala Innale Innu | ||
| Children's literature | C. J. Alex | Vanangaliloode Orarivuyathra | ||
| Special award | Sudha S. Nandan | Niyatha | ||
| Sakthi Erumeli Award | Dr. Chanthavila Murali | AKG: Oru Samagra Jeevacharitram | ||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | P. K. Kanakalatha | K. Saraswathiyamma: Ottaykku Vazhi Nadannaval Template:Webarchive | ||
| 2016 | T. K. Ramakrishnan Award | Leelakumari Amma | Campaign against Endosulfan pesticide lobby | Template:Center |
| Novel | T. D. Ramakrishnan | Sugandhi Enna Andal Devanayaki | ||
| Story | Ashtamoorthi | Avasanathe Shilpam Template:Webarchive | ||
| Poetry | C. P. Aboobakkar | Nadikalil Ozhukaathathu | ||
| Drama | Sunil K. Cheriyan | Ee Choottonnu Kathichu Tharvo | ||
| Scholarly literature | Neelan | Cinema Swapnam Jeevitham | ||
| V. P. P. Musthafa | Kalayum Prathyayasasthravum | |||
| Children's literature | Dr. Radhika C. Nair | Template:— | ||
| Sakthi Erumeli Award | K. M. Lenin | A. K. G. Enna Jananayakan | ||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | K. M. Anil | Pantharum Vazhiyambalangalum[5] | ||
| 2017 | T. K. Ramakrishnan Award | M. Mukundan | Overall contributions | Template:Center |
| Novel | P. Krishnanunni | Keralam Oru Documentary | ||
| Story | G. R. Indugopan | Kollappatti Daya | ||
| Poetry | Ahmed Khan | Mathethara Ithihasam | ||
| Vinod Vaisakhi | Kaithamel Paccha | |||
| Drama | Subhash Chandran | Onnaramanikoor | ||
| Scholarly literature | Dr. K. N. Ganesh | Malayaliyude Deshakalangal | ||
| Dr. V.P.P Mustafa | Kalayum Prathyayasasthravum | |||
| Children's literature | K. Rajendran | RCCyile Albutha Kuttikal | ||
| Sakthi Erumeli Award | Dr. George Varghese | Albert Elnstein Jeevitham Sastram Darshanam | ||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | Dr. P. Soman | Vyloppilli Kavitha Oru Idathupaksha Vayana | ||
| 2018 | T. K. Ramakrishnan Award | K. N. Panikkar | Overall contributions | Template:Center |
| Novel | S. R. Lal | Statue P.O. | ||
| Story | C. S. Chandrika | Ente Pachakkarimbe | ||
| Sreekantan Karikkakom | Palaayanangalile Muthalakal | |||
| Poetry | Anuja Akathoottu | Amma Urangunnilla | ||
| Sebastian | Attupokathath | |||
| Drama | Pradeep Mundur | Ottu | ||
| Scholarly literature | Dr. R. Radhakrishnan | Keralathinte Sthree Sakti Charithram | ||
| V. D. Selvaraj | Sasthrasamvadam | |||
| Children's literature | Palliyara Sreedharan | Kathayalla Jeevitham Thanne | ||
| Sakthi Erumeli Award | Puthussery Ramachandran | Thilacha Mannil Kalnadayayi | ||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | Dr. K. Sreekumar | Adutha Bell | ||
| 2019 | T. K. Ramakrishnan Award | T. Padmanabhan | Overall contributions | Template:Center |
| Novel | L. Gopikrishnan | Njan Ente Shatru | ||
| Story | John Samuel | Yadhastu | ||
| Poetry | Desamangalam Ramakrishnan | Enne Kandumuttanenikkavumo | ||
| E. Sandhya | Ammayullathinal | |||
| Drama | T. Pavithran | Prappidiyan | ||
| Cheramangalam Chamunni | Jeevithathinte Edukal | |||
| Scholarly literature | Anil Vallathol | Ezhuthachan Enna Padapusthakam | ||
| Children's literature | Kalavoor Ravikumar | Chinese Boy | ||
| Sakthi Erumeli Award | Bhasura Devi | P.K. Kunjachan Bhasura Ormakal | ||
| Dr. T. Geenakumari | Susheela Gopalan Jeevitha Kadha | |||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | Dr. Santhosh Vallikkad | Puravrithavum Kavithayum | ||
| T. Narayanan | Krithikal Manushyakathanugayikal | |||
| 2020 | T. K. Ramakrishnan Award | C. L. Jose | Overall contributions | Template:Center |
| Novel | K. R. Mallika | Akam | ||
| Story | V. R. Sudheesh | Kadukkachi Manga | ||
| Poetry | Ravunni | Karutha Vatte Karutha Vatte | ||
| Azeem Thannimoodu | Marathine Thirichu Vilikkunna Vithu | |||
| Drama | E. T. Davis | Irikkappindam Katha Parayunnu | ||
| Rajmohan Neeleswaram | Jeevitham Thunnumpol | |||
| Scholarly literature | P. Rajeeve | Bharanaghadana: Charithravum Samskaravum | ||
| Children's literature | Sethu | Appuvum Achuvum | ||
| Sakthi Erumeli Award | M. K. Sanu | Kesari Oru Kaalaghattathinte Srishtaavu | ||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | V. U. Srendran | Akam Thurakkunna Kavithakal | ||
| E. M. Suraja | Kavithayile Kaalavum Kaalpadukalum | |||
| 2021 | T. K. Ramakrishnan Award | M. R. Raghava Varier | Overall contributions | Template:Center |
| Novel | Ravivarma Thampuran | Mudippechu | ||
| Story | C. Anoop | Rachukku | ||
| V. K. Deepa | Women Eaters | |||
| Poetry | Sudheesh Kottembram | Chilanthinrutham | ||
| Surab | Maavu Pookkum Kalam | |||
| Drama | M. Rajeev Kumar | M. Rajeev Kumarinte Nadakangal | ||
| Scholarly literature | Kavitha Balakrishnan | Vayana Manushyante Kalacharithram[6][7] | ||
| K. Sudheesh | Nammalengane Nammalayi | |||
| Children's literature | K. Rekha | Nunayathi | ||
| Sakthi Erumeli Award | Dr. B. B. Sreekumar | Kunjunni Arude Thonnalanu | ||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | Template:— | Template:— | ||
| 2022 | T. K. Ramakrishnan Award | Adoor Gopalakrishnan | Overall contributions | Template:Center |
| Novel | Ajayakumar | Nizhalkalangal | ||
| Manasidevi | Savitrikuttiyude Sancharangal | |||
| Story | P. V. Shajikumar | Sthalam | ||
| Poetry | K. Jayakumar | Pingala Kesini | ||
| P. N. Gopikrishnan | Kavitha Mamsabhojiyanu | |||
| Drama | John Fernandes | Vritham Pathinonnu Kolu | ||
| Emil Madhavi | Kumaru | |||
| Scholarly literature | Dr. B. Ekbal | Mahamarikal: Plague Muthal Covid Vare | ||
| B. Sreekumar | Ayyappa Paniker Cholkazhchakalum Chollakazhchakalum | |||
| Children's literature | Viswamangalam Sundaresan | Marxinte Katha Kuttikalkku | ||
| Sakthi Erumeli Award | V. S. Rajesh | Sivanayanam | ||
| Dr. Sreekala Mullasseri | Sthraina Vrithanthangal | |||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | K. V. Sajay | Theliyunnu Manonabhasenikku | ||
| P. G. Sadanandan | Raman: Padavum Padabhedangalum | |||
| 2023 | T. K. Ramakrishnan Award | Shaji N. Karun | Overall contributions | Template:Center |
| Novel | Janamma Kunjunni | Parayathe Poyathu | ||
| Story | Manju Vaikhari | Bodhi Dhaba | ||
| Poetry | Sreekanth Thamarassery | Kadal Kadanna Kariveppukal | ||
| Drama | Kalidas Puthumana | Nataka Panchakam | ||
| Gireesh Kalathil | Ochayum Kazhchayum | |||
| Scholarly literature | Meenambalam Santhosh | Vedi - Janakeeya Natakam: Ranganubhavapadanam | ||
| Prof V. Karthikeyan Nair | Charithrapadanavum Samoohavum | |||
| Children's literature | Divakaran Vishnumangalam | Vella Balloon | ||
| Dr Ratheesh Kaliyadan | Kuttikkuda Usharanu | |||
| Sakthi Erumeli Award | P. P. Balachandran | A. K. G. yum Shakespearum | ||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | M. K. Harikumar | Aksharajalakam | ||
| Dr R. V. M. Divakaran | Kathu Nilkkunnu Kalam | |||
| 2024 | T. K. Ramakrishnan Award | A. K. Nambiar | Overall contributions | Template:Center |
| Novel | S. Mahadevan Thampi | Mruthewsoothram | ||
| Ambikasuthan Mangad | Allohalan | |||
| Story | M. Manju | Jalappanthu | ||
| Poetry | M. D. Rajendran | Shravanabelagola | ||
| Drama | Anilkumar Alathuparambu | Mahayanam | ||
| Rafeeq Mangalassery | Kithaab | |||
| Scholarly literature | M. Jayaraj | Vaikom Sathyagraha Charithram: Mathrubhumi Rekhakal[8] | ||
| A. K. Peethambaran | Matham Manavikatha Marxism | |||
| Children's literature | G. Sreekantan | Muthalakettu | ||
| Paipra Radhakrishnan | Salkkathakal | |||
| Sakthi Erumeli Award | K. S. Ravikumar | Kadammanitta Kavithayude Kanalattam | ||
| K. V. Sudhakaran | Oru Samara Noottand[9] | |||
| Sakthi Thayat Award | T. K. Santhosh kumar | Kavithayude Ragapoornima |
References
- ↑ Abu Dhabi Shakti Award presentation on December 4 in Thiruvananthapuram. News18Plus(29 November 2022). Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ↑ അബുദാബി ശക്തി അവാർഡ് 2021: കൃതികൾ ക്ഷണിക്കുന്നു. Malayala Manorama(14 August 2021). Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ↑ "Standing tall at his desk". The Hindu. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ↑ "Prasanth Narayanan is giving shape to a novel theatre culture". The Hindu. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ↑ "മുൻപേ നടക്കുന്ന വഴിച്ചൂട്ടുകൾ". Malayala Manorama. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ↑ "Interview with Kavitha Balakrishnan". Navalokam.com. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ↑ "ഒട്ടും ജീവിതഗന്ധിയായില്ല നമ്മുടെ കലാ വിദ്യാഭ്യാസം". TrueCopyThink. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ↑ 'വൈക്കം സത്യഗ്രഹ ചരിത്രം മാതൃഭൂമി രേഖകള്' പുറത്തിറങ്ങി. Mathrubhumi(5 April 2024). Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ↑ വി എസിന്റെ 'ഒരു സമര നൂറ്റാണ്ട്'. Chintha(15 December 2023). Retrieved 28 September 2025.