Awards won

LITERARY AWARDS: 
1958 Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for novel Nalukettu 
1970 Central Sahitya Akademi Award for novel Kalam 
1978 Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for drama Gopuranadayil 
1981 Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for short story collection Swargam Thurakunna Samyam 
1984 Vayalar Award for novel Randamoozham 
1993 Odakkuzhal Award for short story collection Vanaprastham 
1994 Muttathu Varkey Award for novel Randamoozham 
1996 Jnanapith Award, Hony D.Litt from Calicut University, Hony D.Litt from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam
2000 NV Sahitya Award for short story collection Sherlock 


CINEMA AWARDS: 
National awards
1973 President's Gold Medal for Nirmalyam 
1989 National Award for Best Screenplay Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha 
1991 National Award for Film, best director, best screenplay Kadavu 
1992 National Award for Best Screenplay Sadayam 
1994 National Award for Best Screenplay Parinayam 

State Awards
1970 Best dialogues (Ollavum Theeravum)
1973 Best Director, Best dialogues (Nirmalyam)
1976 Best film (Bandhanam)
1980 Best screenplay (Thrishna, Vallarthumrigangal)
1981 Best Story (Aroodham)
1983 best Story (Anubandham)
1986 Best Screenplay (Idavazhiyile Pucha Minda Pucha)
1987 Best screenplay (Amritham Gamaya)
1989 Best screenplay (Oru Vadakan Veera Gatha)
1990 Best screenplay (Perunthachan)
1991 Best director, best film best screenplay (Kadavu)
1994 Best story (Sukratham), Best screenplay (Parinayam) 

OTHER:
1991 Japan Grand Prix award (Kadavu)
Prem Nazir Foundation Award for contribution to Malayalam Cinema 
Film Fare Award for contribution to Malayalam Cinema
Cinema Express Award for contribution to Malayalam Cinema