of the twentieth century, a period of tremendous social, cultural and economic changes. It was in the sixties that MT rose to prominence as a writer. The phase of social realism had come to an end. In his opinion, class-war the ideal which had inspired the writers belonging to the preceding generation had almost lost its relevance by the time he entered the literary career. The prominent Malayalam writers of the pre-independence phase—Thakazhi, Vallathol and Kesavadev—were all stimulated by the progressive leftist ideals. They focussed their attention on social conflict as the theme for their writings—Conflict between capital and labour, between the landlord and the tenant, between the oppressor and the oppressed. MT felt that this theme of conflict was an outdated phenomenon in the context of present Kerala. The protagonists of MT are men out of society and at war with themselves, a sharp contrast to the heroes of Kesavadev or Thakazhi who fight a losing war against the hostile forces in the society. MT, in spite of his broad and deep sympathy for the marginalized, doesn't identify himself with any particular political ideology or movement. Awards and honours Honorary 1996: Honorary Doctorate by University of Calicut 1996: Honorary Doctorate by Mahatma Gandhi University 2005: Padma Bhushan 2008: Honorary Doctorate by Netaji Subhas Open University 2022: Kerala Jyothi instituted by Government of Kerala Literary awards 1958: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel – Naalukettu 1970: Kendra Sahitya Academy Award – Kaalam 1982: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Drama – Gopura Nadayil 1985: Vayalar Award for Randamoozham 1986: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Story – Swargam Thurakkunna Samayam 1993: Odakkuzhal Award - Vanaprastham 1994: Muttathu Varkey Award 1995: Jnanpith Award for his contributions to Malayalam literature 1998: Padmarajan Award - Kaazhcha 2001: Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam Sahithya Award 2003: Lalithambika Antharjanam Smaraka Sahitya Award 2005: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship 2005: Vallathol Award 2005: Mathrubhumi Literary Award 2011: Ezhuthachan Award 2011: T. K. Puraskaram 2011: Suvarnamudra Award 2011: Mayilpeeli Award 2013: Sahitya Akademi Fellowship 2013: Sree Chithira Thirunal Award 2013: K. P. S. Menon Award 2014: Suvarnamudra Award by Guruvayur Naadha Brahmolsavam 2014: A. R. Raja Raja Varma Award 2014: Kakkanadan Award 2014: Balamani Amma Award 2014: Tata-Landmark Literature Live! Lifetime Achievement Award 2015: O.M.C. Narayanan Namboodiripad Memorial Devi Prasadam Trust's Award for Literature 2015: Thakazhi Award 2018: O. N. V. Literary Award Film awards National Film Awards 1973: Best Film –