J. C. Daniel Award

Jan 2021|🟡Review|2 min read|11 entries

Key Takeaway

J.

Last verified: 12 Feb 2026·Source: www.pscarivukal.com·Next review: Review recommended

J. C. Daniel Award

J. C. Daniel Award is thehighest lifetime achievement awardgiven in the Malayalam film industry for the outstanding contribution to the Malayalam Cinema. It was named afterDr. J.C. Daniel Nadar, the father of Malayalam Cinema.

Earlier the allocation of thisannual awardrested with the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala which established in1992.

But after1998,it was Kerala State Chalachitra Academy a self-governing organization  under the Govt. of Kerala, who hosted this award.

The award comprisesa cash prize of ₹5 Lakh, a plaque, anda citation.

Basic Facts(8)

Established in
1992
Conferred by
Kerala State Chalachitra Academy
First Winner
T.E. Vasudevan
First Actor to win J.C. Daniel Award
Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair
First Woman to get J.C. Daniel Award
Aranmula Ponnamma(2005)
First Singer to win J.C. Daniel Award
K.J. Yesudas(2002)
First Posthumous J.C. Daniel Award Winner
Jose Prakash(2011)
Last Winner*
T.V. Chandran(2022)

* Time-sensitive data — verify for latest information

📝 Read More:Malayalam Cinema Facts For PSC

J. C. Daniel (1900-1975)

Father of Malayalam Cinema.Director of the first silent movie in Malayalam, Vigathakumaran(1928).Established First Film Studio in Kerala – The Travancore National Pictures(1926).To Know More About the Life & Achievements of J.C. Daniel,click here.

Previous Year PSC Questions(3)

സി. ഡാനിയേൽ പുരസ്‌കാരം നേടിയതാര്?പി. ജയചന്ദ്രൻ.(10th Prelims, First Stage, 15/5/2022)📝SideNotes:K.P. Kumaran
Major Films–Rugmini– National Award for Best feature film (1988), Kerala State Film Award (1989)based on Madhavikutty's Rukminikkoru Pavakutty,Athithi (debut feature film), Thenthulli, Laxmivijayam, Thottam, Neram Pularumbol, Adipapam, Kattile pattu,Akasha Gopuram (2008)based on Henrik Ibsen's play The Master Builder
Gramavrikshathile Kuyil(2020,  life of poet Kumaran Asan)Short film
Rock.co-screenwriter of Adoor Gopalakrishnan's Swayamvaram (1972)
Minister for Cultural Affairs 2024
Saji Cherian