Malifoundation proposes to bestow an award on an outstanding Kathakali artiste annually, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mrs. Malathi M. Nair, beloved wife of Late. V. Madhavan Nair, “Mali” a versatile genius and author of many creative masterpieces including “Karnasapatham Attakkatha”.

The award is known as The Mali Karnasapatham Award and it comprises a cash prize of Rs. 10,001/- (Rupees Ten thousand and One only), a citation and a memento. The award is determined in association with Tripunitura Kathakali Kendram.

The first Mali Karnasapatham Award 2008, honoured Sri. Kottakkal Sivaraman, taking into consideration of his great life time contribution to Kathakali.

The Malifest 2008 events curtain raised on the 9th November, 2008, at Tripunitura Rugmini Kalyanamandapam at 5:00 pm. The President of Tripunitura Kathakali Kendram, Dr. A.K. Sabhapathy, inaugurated the function. Smt. K.B. Sreedevi, noted novelist, was the chief guest, who presented the award to Sri. Kottakkal Sivaraman. A good and distinguished gathering attended the function. This was followed by Karnasapatham Kathakali, staged by the eminent and the well known Ladies troupe of Tripunitura Kathakali Kendram.