Renowned writer Benyamin presented the Kanam Foundation Novel Award 2015 to Sabu KC for his Malayali novel, Kendran during the Kanam remembrance meeting held in the Indian city of Kottarakara recently.
The programme, jointly organised by Kanam EJ Foundation, Centre for Indian Music Arts & Culture (CIMAC) and the Educational Art and Literary Forum of Marthoma Girls’ High School, was held at Marthoma Girls High School. The award includes a cash price of Rs15,000, citation and a figurine. In the same event, author Ravivarma Thampuran received an award for his novel Bhayankara Mudi (25,000 rupees, citation and a figurine).
 “I have great expectations for Kendran as it is a novel written by a fellow pravasi (non-resident Indian),” said Benyamin while felicitating the award winners.
“I have an emotional attachment to the novel Kendran. Experiences narrated in the novel are directly linked to my life. Innocence is the soul of Kendran. The reading pleasure offered by Kendran, which is presented in pure rustic style, is quite inexplicable,” said poet and drama writer Neeravil Viswamohan.
“The theme of Kendran is related to the rural ethos. The integrity of a culture untouched by urbanisation and its experiential reminders bestow unique grandeur to the novel. This work is quite different from the usual creative streams of style of Malayalam novels. This is a labour of love. Goodness and compassion form the substrata of experience in Kendran. We can also feel the warmth of rural language. It is a captivating novel that reflects the inner warmth of life,” noted Dr Munjinad Padmakumar.
“I would like to consider the award for Kendran as a recognition for all pravasi writers,” Sabu KC said.
Muttara Udayabhanu presided over the function. Sofia Isaac, PC Babukutty, RP Sukumaran Nair, Mohan Poovattoor, MR Aji, and M Rajeev felicitated the award winners.
Kendran portrays the transformations in the lives of the people in a historical and legendary village in Kerala, over the years, due to the advent of industries, trade and commerce, and technological innovations. The book has already caught the attention of Malayalam readers. The Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, State of Qatar has given special permission for the distribution of the book in Qatar. Kendran is available in all major book stalls of Qatar, including LuLu outlets.
 Sabu KC, Son of KV Chackappan and Mariamma Chackappan, hails from Kangarapady near Thrikkakara in Ernakulam district of the Indian State of Kerala. His family comprises wife Lipsy Sabu, Teacher at Ideal Indian School in Doha, Qatar and daughters Arunima, Ananya and Arya.