 As a rationalist, Pavanan was the founder-Chief-editor of "Yukthirekha", the organ of Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham, a well-known rationalist group in Kerala.He was the organization's president for a long time before he was afflicted with Alzheimer's disease from which he had been suffering for the last 4–5 years of his life.Pavanan was awarded the Sovietland-Nehru Award (twice), Kerala Sahitya Akademy Award, G. Sankara Kurup Award, Puthezhan Memorial Award, Vailoppally Memorial Award, M.C.