Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Awards: Venuji, Kaithapram, Jayprakash Kulur Receive Fellowships

Thrissur: The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Awards for 2025 have been announced. Koodiyattam Acharya Venuji, music composer and lyricist Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, and theatre director and writer Jayaprakash Kuloor have been selected for the Fellowship. The Fellowship includes a cash award of Rs 50,000, a plaque, a certificate of appreciation, and a sculpture. It is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions in various artistic fields.

A total of eighteen talents have been selected for the 2025 awards, and twenty-two for the Guru Puja Awards. The Guru Puja Award is given to senior artists who have dedicated their lives to art activism and inspired several generations of artists. The awardees of both the regular and Guru Puja Awards will receive Rs 30,000 each, along with a certificate of appreciation and a sculpture. The date for the award presentation will be announced later, according to Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Secretary Karivellur Murali.

Chirayinkeezhu Dr. G. Gangadharan Nair Award to Nidheesh Pookkad

The 2025 Chirayinkeezhu Dr. G. Gangadharan Nair Award for Best Stage Artist in the Amateur Theatre category has been conferred upon Nidheesh Pookkad. This award includes Rs 30,000, a sculpture, and a certificate. It was instituted in memory of Dr. G. Gangadharan Nair by his wife, Kanchana K., in collaboration with the Academy.

The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Academy Conference Hall, where Academy Chairperson Mattannoor Shankaran Kutty, Secretary Karivellur Murali, Vice Chairperson Pushpavathi P.R., and Executive Committee Member Renu Ramanath were present.