Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 16 (NationPress) Renowned actress Sarada has been honored with the prestigious 2024 J.C. Daniel Award for her lifelong dedication to Malayalam cinema, as announced by Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian on Friday.

This award, the highest accolade established by the Kerala government for film, includes a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, a citation, and a statuette. The ceremony will take place on January 25, where Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will present the award during the Kerala State Film Awards gala.

The selection was made by a jury led by esteemed lyricist and 2017 J.C. Daniel Award recipient Sreekumaran Thampi. The jury included actress Urvashi, filmmaker Balu Kiriyath, and C. Ajoy, the Secretary of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy.

The jury recognized Sarada as an actress of remarkable talent, having brought home two National Film Awards for Best Actress, thereby enriching Malayalam cinema. Over the span of two decades from the 1960s, she became a symbol of the Malayali woman on screen. Her subtle and profound performances captured the struggles, resilience, and emotional richness of women during that period.

Sarada won her initial National Film Award in 1968 for her role in Thulabharam. She later gained further acclaim for her work in Adoor Gopalakrishnan's Swayamvaram (1972) and the Telugu film Nimajjanam (1977).

She has brought to life many unforgettable characters in films like Thriveni, Murappennu, Mooladhanam, and Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam, leading the jury to deem her fully deserving of this esteemed state award.

Born on June 25, 1945, in Tenali, Andhra Pradesh, to Venkateswara Rao and Satyavani Devi, she adopted the stage name Sarada during her first Telugu film, Iru Mithrulu. She made her Malayalam debut in 1965 with Inapravukal, which was penned by Muttathu Varkey and directed by Kunchacko.

Films like Murappennu (directed by Vincent), Iruttinte Athmavu (directed by P. Bhaskaran), and numerous works scripted by MT Vasudevan Nair solidified her popularity among Malayalam viewers.

Throughout her illustrious career, Sarada has performed in over 125 Malayalam films, including Udyogastha, Yakshi, Adimakal, Asuravithu, Koottukudumbam, Nadi, Ennippadikal, Elippathayam, and Rappakal.