Kerala Varma most commonly known as Mahakavi Pandalam Kerala Varma, was a poet and publisher. He was born in Pandalam

Pandalam

Pandalam is one among the fastest growing towns in Kerala, India. Known far and wide for its legendary connection with Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala, Pandalam is considered to be a holy town...

, and belonged to the Pandalam Royal Family. He started writing Sanskrit poems from age 12, and Malayalam poems from age 19. One of his widely known poems are Daivame Kai Thozham, a prayer song.

He published the fortnightly journal Kavana Kaumudi, which included all materials in poetry. The first issue of Kavana Kaumudi was published in 1904. The editorials of the journal included social, political, and contemporary issues. In 1979, a collection of his writings were reprinted and published as selected works.

The Pandalam Kerala Varma Smaraka Samithi is an association set up in remembrance of the poet. The Samithi offers two awards; a literary award to honour excellence in poetry and a media award to honour excellence in editorial. The award is known by the name Mahakavi Pandalam Kerala Varma Award. Poets O. N. V. Kurup

O. N. V. Kurup

Ottaplakkal Nambiyadikkal Velu Kurup , popularly known as O. N. V. Kurup or simply O. N. V., is a Malayalam poet and lyricist from Kerala, India, who won Jnanpith Award,the highest literary award in India for the year 2007. He is considered one of the finest living lyrical poets in India. O. N....

, K. Ayyappa Panicker

K. Ayyappa Panicker

Dr. K. Ayyappa Paniker, sometimes spelt "Ayyappa Panicker" was an influential Malayalam poet, literary critic, and an academic and a scholar in modern and post-modern literary theories as well as ancient Indian aesthetics and literary traditions...

, Vishnu Narayanan Namboothiri, Satchidanandan

Satchidanandan

K. Satchidanandan is a major Indian poet and critic, writing in Malayalam, and English. Satchidanandan has established himself as an academician, editor, translator and playwright...

, Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan

Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan

Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan , popularly known as Kadammanitta, was an Indian poet. He was born in Kadammanitta province of Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. His childhood experiences, especially the Patayani songs, imparted strong influence in his literary work...

, Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri

Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri

Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri , popularly known as Akkitham, is a Malayalam poet. He was born in 1926 at Kumaranallur in Palakkad District, Kerala and lives there. He is a well known Malayalam poet, essayist, editor and a highly decorated literary personality among contemporary Malayalam writers...

, Sugathakumari

Sugathakumari

Sugathakumari is an Indian poet and activist, who has been at the forefront of environmental and feminist movements in Kerala, South India. She played a big role in the Save Silent Valley protest. She formed Abhayagrama, aka Abhayagramam, a home for destitute women and a day-care centre for the...

have been recipients of this prestigious award.