M. Karunakaran Wins Tan Sri Manickavasagam Book Prize for Poetry

M. Karunakaran's poetry collection, titled Ullangai Kadavulum Ajantha Perazhagiyum (The God in the Human Palm and the Ajantha Beauty), has been awarded the Tan Sri Manickavasagam Book Prize, as reported by Makkal Osai. The award, presented by the Malaysia Tamil Writers Association and the Tan Sri Manickavasagam Association, aims to honor and promote Malaysian literary talents.

P. Rajendran, the event organizer, stated that the recognition is designed to support and encourage writers in Malaysia. This year, 16 works published in the past five years were nominated for the prize. Karunakaran received a cash award of RM7,000 for his achievement.

The Tan Sri Manickavasagam Book Prize is named in memory of the late Tan Sri V. Manickavasagam, who served as the sixth president of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) and held a ministerial position. The prize is intended to celebrate Tamil literature and writers in Malaysia.