# Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist

The Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist is an honour, begun in 1969, presented annually at the Kerala State Film Awards of India to a lyricist for best lyrics in a Malayalam film. Until 1997, the awards were managed directly by the Department of Information and Public Relations of the Government of Kerala. Since 1998, the awards have been constituted by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, an autonomous, non-profit institution functioning under the Department of Cultural Affairs (Kerala). The awardees are decided by an independent jury constituted every year by the government. They are announced by the Minister for Cultural Affairs and are presented by the Chief Minister.The first Kerala State film Awards ceremony was held in 1970 with Vayalar Ramavarma receiving the award for Nadhi and Kadalpalam (1969). O. N. V. Kurup is the most honoured lyricist with 14 awards, followed by Gireesh Puthenchery with seven.

## Most awards

| Lyricist | Wins | Years |
| O.N.V Kurup | 14 | 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2008, 2016 |
| Gireesh Puthenchery | 7 | 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 |
| Rafeeq Ahammed | 6 | 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2022 |
| Vayalar Ramavarma | 4 | 1969, 1972, 1974, 1975 |

## The Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist winners

| Year | Lyricist | Image | Film(s) | Song(s) |
| 1969 | Vayalar Ramavarma | | Nadhi, Kadalpalam | |
| 1970 | P. Bhaskaran | | Sthree | |
| 1971 | Sreekumaran Thampi | | Vilakku Vangiya Veena | |
| 1972 | Vayalar Ramavarma | | Chembarathi | |
| 1973 | O. N. V. Kurup | | Swapnam | |
| 1974 | Vayalar Ramavarma | | Nellu, Athithi | |
| 1975 | Vayalar Ramavarma | | Chuvanna Sandhyakal, Swami Ayyappan | |
| 1976 | O. N. V. Kurup | | Survey Kallu | |
| 1977 | O. N. V. Kurup | | Madanolsavam | |
| 1978 | Kavalam Narayana Panicker | | Vadakakku Oru Hridayam | |
| 1979 | O. N. V. Kurup | | Ulkkadal | |
| 1980 | O. N. V. Kurup | | Yagam, Ammayum Makalum | |
| 1981 | Bichu Thirumala | | Thrishna, Thenum Vayampum | |
| 1982 | Kavalam Narayana Panicker | | Marmaram | |
| 1983 | O. N. V. Kurup | | Adaminte Vaariyellu, Parasparam | |
| 1984 | O. N. V. Kurup | | Aksharangal, Ithiripoove Chuvannapoove | |
| 1985 | P. Bhaskaran | | Kochu Themmadi | |
| 1986 | O. N. V. Kurup | | Nakhakshathangal | |
| 1987 | O. N. V. Kurup | | Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal | |
| 1988 | O. N. V. Kurup | | Vaishali | |
| 1989 | O. N. V. Kurup | | Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam, Purappadu | |
| 1990 | O. N. V. Kurup | | Radhaamadhavam | |
| 1991 | Bichu Thirumala | | Kadinjool Kalyanam | |
| 1992 | P. Bhaskaran | | Venkalam | |
| 1993 † | Yusuf Ali Kechery | | Ghazal | |
| 1993 † | Kaithapram | | Paithrukam | |
| 1994 | Yusuf Ali Kechery | | Parinayam | |
| 1995 | Gireesh Puthenchery | | Agnidevan | Oru Poovithalin |
| 1996 | Kaithapram | | Azhakiya Ravanan | Vennilachandanakkinam |
| 1997 | Gireesh Puthenchery | | Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu | Pinneyum Pinneyum |
| 1998 | Yusuf Ali Kechery | | Sneham | |
| 1999 | Gireesh Puthenchery | | Punaradhivasam | Kanakamunthirikal |
| 2000 | O. V. Usha | | Mazha | Aaradyam Parayum |
| 2001 | Gireesh Puthenchery | | Raavanaprabhu | Aakasha Deepagal Sakshi |
| 2002 | Gireesh Puthenchery | | Nandanam | Karmukil Varnante Chundil |
| 2003 | Gireesh Puthenchery | | Gaurisankaram | Urangathe Ravurangi Njan |
| 2004 | Gireesh Puthenchery | | Kathavasheshan | Kannunattu Kathirunnittum |
| 2005 | Ponnkunnam Damodaran | | Nottam | Pachapanam Thathe |
| 2006 | Prabha Varma | | Out of Syllabus | Poyi Varuvan Koode Varu |
| 2007 | Rafeeq Ahammed | | Pranayakalam | Etho Vidooramam |
| 2008 | O. N. V. Kurup | | Gulmohar | Oru Naal Subharathri |
| 2009 | Rafeeq Ahammed | | Sufi Paranja Katha | Thekkini Kolaya Chumaril |
| 2010 | Rafeeq Ahammed | | Sadgamaya | Oru Pooviniyum VIdarum |
| 2011 | Sreekumaran Thampi | | Naayika | Nanayum Nin Mizhiyoram |
| 2012 | Rafeeq Ahammed | | Spirit | Mazha Kondu Mathram |
| 2013 | Prabha Varma | | Nadan | Ethu Sundara Swapna Yavanika |
| 2013 | Dr. Madhu Vasudev | | Nadan | Ottakku Paadunna |
| 2014 | O. S. Unnikrishnan | | La Sa Gu | Ithra Pakalinodothu Chernnittumee |
| 2015 | Rafeeq Ahammed | | Ennu Ninte Moideen | Kathirunnu Kathirunnu |
| 2016 | O. N. V. Kurup | | Kambhoji | Nadavathil Thurannila |
| 2017 | Prabha Varma | | Clint | Olathil Melathal |
| 2018 | B.K.Harinarayanan | | Joseph Theevandi | Kannethadooram Jeevamshamayi |
| 2019 | Sujesh Hari | | Sathyam Paranja Viswasikkuvo | Pularippoo Pole Chirichum |
| 2020 | Anwar Ali | .jpg | Bhoomiyile Manohara Swakaryam Maalik | Smaranakal Kadalay Theerame Theerame |
| 2021 | B.K.Harinarayanan | | Kaadakalam | Kanniru Kadanja |
| 2022 | Rafeeq Ahammed | | Viddikalude Mash | Thiramaalayaanu Nee |
| 2023 | Hareesh Mohanan | | Chaaver | Chenthamara Poovil |