RS Binuraj wins Manorama Hortus Award for novel

Kochi: ‘Chrisanthamodyanathile Aparan’ (The stranger in the Chrysanthemum garden) by R S Binuraj has been selected for the best novel award instituted by Malayala Manorama as part of the Hortus Art and Literature Festival, 2025. The award carries a cash prize of ₹3 lakh.

The award-winning novel will be published by Manorama Books soon. The award will be presented to Binuraj during the Hortus festival to be held at Subhash Park in Kochi from November 27 to 30.

A jury comprising noted writers S Hareesh, R Rajasree and Jose Panachipuram selected the best novel. Over 100 entries were received for the competition conducted for writers aged below 45.

Binuraj, who belongs to Thankamala, Venjarammoodu in Thiruvananthapuram district, is an English teacher at Sarvajana Higher Secondary School in Wayanad. He has earlier published two books, ‘Kavithakalude Republic’ and ‘Sholay Picture.’ ‘Chrisanthamodyanathile Aparan’ is his first novel.

Binuraj is married to Manju Krishnan, and they have a son, Sriniketh.

Four novels in final round
The jury considered four entries during the final round of award selection. The jury members said that each of the four novels dealt with diverse themes and differed widely in style. The three other finalists were ‘Bhoothasaaram’ by Jithin Xavier, ‘Red Scarf’ by Divya Arun and ‘Sabarmatinadiyude Puthri’ by Alwin George.

Jury member Hareesh said that the award-winning entry, ‘Chrisanthamodyanathile Aparan’, employed a graceful storytelling style, drawing on history to create a work of fiction.

Rajaree felt that the novel was rich in discourses on place, history and space. It also engaged in a reexamination of various human conditions.

Jose Panachipuram, who is also the Editorial Director of Malayala Manorama, said that the novel, while adopting a fictional tone, has taken unconventional paths.