in the year
2012.
It is conferred for contributions towards toward promoting the ideals of secularism, equanimity, and universal brotherhood associated with Sabarimala, primarily through music.
The award is named after the iconic songHarivarasanam, often sung as a lullaby to Lord Ayyappa at the Sabarimala temple every night before closing the sanctum.
While its exact origin remains unclear, the song gained immense popularity after being sung byK. J. Yesudasin the Malayalam filmSwami Ayyappan (1975). It was set to theMadhyamavati ragaby the late composerG. Devarajan Master.
The award is typically announcedannuallyon the Makaravilakku day at the Sabarimala.
The first recipient of the award wasK. J. Yesudasand the current winner ofHarivarasanam Award in 2025 isKaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri.
The award consists of cash prize of ₹1 lakh, citations and plaque.
List of Recipients
YearRecipient2012K. J. Yesudas2013K. G. Jayan2014P. Jayachandran2015S. P. Balasubrahmaniam2016M. G. Sreekumar2017Gangai Amaran2018K. S. Chithra2019P. Susheela2020Ilaiyaraaja2021Veeramani Raju2022Alleppey Ranganath2023Sreekumaran Thampi2024Veeramanidaasan2025Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri2026Thiruvizha Jayashankar (Nadaswaram)SideNotes:
- Minister of Travancore Devaswom Board -V.N. Vasavan.