Thiruvananthapuram: Director-lyricist Sreekumaran Thampi's autobiography 'Jeevitham Oru Pendulum' (Life a Pendulum) was on Sunday selected for the 47th Vayalar Award. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a bronze figurine sculpted by noted artist Kanayi Kunhiraman.
The prize will be given to Thampy on October 27, on the death anniversary of legendary poet-lyricist Vayalar Rama Varma.
Thampi was born on March 16, 1940, at Harippad in Alappuzha district. He has been writing literary works in his academic years. In 1966, while he was employed as an assistant planner in Kozhikode, Thampi resigned from his job and devoted his whole time to art and literature.
Thampi wrote his first song for the film 'Kattu Mallika'. Over the years he penned over three thousand songs for movies and various other mediums. He scripted 78 films and directed more than thirty films and produced around 22 movies. He has also produced and directed more than 13 television serials.
He has published seven poetry compilations, four novels, one collection of stories, two books on movies and a book of 1001 selected movie songs. He has won the National Award for Best Book in Film for the book, 'Cinema Kanakkum Kavithayum' and the Kerala State Award for Best Lyricist twice.
