The well-known poet laureate of Kadhaprasanga Art, Dr. Vasanthakumar Sambasivan has been chosen for the “Kala(Art) Kuwait - Sambasivan Award” instituted by Kuwait-based Indian socio-cultural organization 'Kala(Art) Kuwait' for the year 2016. Dr. Vasanthakumar was designated for the award in view of his outstanding contribution to “Kadhaprasanga” realm, the organizers said in a press release.
The award, comprising Rs. 25,000 and citation, would be presented in a function in Kuwait on Friday, 15th September 2017 at Community Hall Abbasiya at 4 pm onwards, according to ‘Kala(Art) Kuwait’ President Samkutty Thomas, General Secretary Sunil Kumar, Members Mukesh Vanpulli, K Hassan Koya, Jaison Joseph, Shameer P. P, and Sivakumar.
This award was instituted in memory of eminent 'kadha prasangam' artist late Prof. V. Sambasivan. Those who had won this prize in previous years are, eminent Writer U. A. Khadar, Vaisakhan (Chairman of Kerala Sahitya Academy), Akbar Kakkattil, Poet and Theater Director Karivelloor Murali and Critic and Social Activist Dr. M. N. Karasseri, Dancer and Actress Dr.Tara Kalyan.
Dr. Vasanthakumar, has obtained a Master's Degree, PhD, M-Phil in Chemistry. He was the Chief of the Post Graduate Department of Chemistry at Sree Narayana College, Kollam. Apart from his Father’s creations, he himself has written more than fifteen stories as a Writer. He completed twenty two years in the field of “Kadhaprasanga Art” following his father’s footsteps and could perform more than twenty eight stories at not less than four thousand stages in different parts of India as well as Gulf countries.
He achieved several awards like, Kedamangalam Sadanandan Memorial Savyasachi Award (2016), Edakkoki Prabhakaran Kathika Patmam Award (2015), Kadavoor Balan Award (2014), Energy Concession Award (1997) and was the Chief Judge of the reality show named as “Kadhaparayumbol” in Kairali TV.