M. Leelavathy

She is a contemporary of such noted critics in Malayalam including K. Guptan Nair, N. Krishna Pillai, P. Sanu and Sukumar Azhikode. Leelavathy is a recipient of the Padma Shri Award.

• Name — M. Leelavathy • Born — 16 September 1927 • Birthplace — Kottappadi, Thrissur • Education — PhD • Occupation — Critic, teacher • Children — Vinayakumar Jayakumar • Parents — Kazhunkampilli Kunjunni Nambidi Mundanat Nangayya Maandal • Spouse — C. Purushothama Menon

Leelavathy was born in Kottapadi near Guruvayur in Thrissur district (then in Malabar district of Madras State) on 16 September 1927. Her parents were Kazhungampilly Kunjunni Nambidi and Mundanat Nangayya Mandal, and she was their eldest child. She attended school in Kunnamkulam, another nearby town (Kottapadi is midway between Guruvayur and Kunnamkulam), before joining Maharaja's College, Ernakulam for her BA degree. She received her MA degree from Madras University. Leelavathy began her teaching career in 1949 as a lecturer at St. Mary's College, Thrissur. After a brief stint at Stella Maris College, Chennai, she joined Victoria College, Palakkad in 1952 and subsequently taught at Maharaja's College and Government Brennen College, Thalassery. She was awarded her PhD degree from Kerala University in 1972. For a brief period of time, she also served as a visiting professor in University of Calicut. Leelavathy retired from Brennen College in 1983. She now lives in Thrikkakkara in Ernakulam district.

Leelavathy is recorded as having received Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Sahitya Akademi Award in Malayalam and Padma Shri in literature and education. The identifiers under which M. Leelavathy may be traced in institutional catalogues.

During her long literary career, she won several awards and honours including Odakuzhal Award (1978) and Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award (1980) for Varnaraji, Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award (1986) for Kavithadhwani, Nalapadan Award given by Nalapadan Memorial Cultural Society (1993) for Aadi Prabhandhangal Sahithyathil Lalithambika Antarjanam Award (1999), Vallathol Award (2002), Basheer Award (2005), Guptan Nair Memorial Award (2007), Vayalar Award (2007) for Appuvinte Anweshanam, and FACT MKK Nayar Award (2009). Leelavathy is also a recipient of Padma Shri Award for her contribution to the Malayalam literature and education. She won Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, the highest literary prize in Kerala, in 2010, for her outstanding critical works. She was also conferred with many other literary awards including the Mathrubhumi Literary Award (2011), P. S. John Award (2011), K. P. Kesava Menon Award (2014), and O. N. V. Literary Award (2020). In 2021, she was also awarded with the prestigious Kendra Sahitya Academy Fellowship.

• Year — Awards — Work — Reference • 1979 — Odakkuzhal Award — Varnaraji • 1980 — Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Literary Criticism — Varnaraaji • 1986 — Sahitya Akademi Award for Critical study in Malayalam — Kavitadwani • 1999 — Lalithambika Antharjanam Smaraka Sahitya Award — Rosemary • 2002 — Vallathol Award • 2004 — Abu Dhabi Sakthi Award (Thayat Award) • 2004 — Deviprasadam Trust Award • 2005 — Basheer Award • 2007 — Guptan Nair Memorial Award • 2007 — Vayalar Award — Appuvinte Anweshanam • 2008 — Padma Shri — in Literature & Education field • 2010 — Ezhuthachan Puraskaram • 2012 — Mathrubhumi Literary Award • 2018 — Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize — Sreemad Valmeeki Ramayana • 2020 — O. N. V. Literary Award • 2021 — Thakazhi Memorial Award • 2025 — Priyadarshini Literary Award