First in Kerala – Awards, Films & Sports
This post discusses the fourth part of the comprehensive list of First in Kerala. First in Kerala is an important topic for various PSC examinations.

The list includes the visionaries and extraordinary people of Kerala who were honoured with National & International Awards, and firsts in the fields of Films & Sports.

Awards & Honours

National


  • First Malayali to win Padma Vibhushan – V.K. Krishna Menon (1954).
  • First Malayali to win Padma Bhushan – Vallathol Narayana Menon (1954).
  • First Malayali to win Padma Shri – Perakath Verghese Benjamin (1955).
  • First Malayali Religious Leader to receive the fourth highest civilian award Padma Shri – Dr. Cardinal Antony Padiyara (1998).
  • First to receive V.K. Krishna Menon Award – Justice K.G. Balakrishnan.

Arts & Literature

  • First Malayali to win Dadasaheb Phalke Award – Adoor Gopalakrishnan.
  • First Malayali to win Kendra Sahithya Academy Award – R. Narayana Panicker.
  • First Malayali to get Saraswati Samman – Balamaniamma.

Sports

  • First Keralite Winner of Arjuna Award – C. Balakrishnan (Mountaineering, 1965).
    • First South Indian to receive Arjuna Award as well.
  • First Malayali athlete to win Arjuna Award – T.C. Yohannan (Long Jump, 1974)
  • First Malayali Woman Winner of Arjuna Award – K.C. Elamma (Volley Ball, 1975).
  • First Malayali to win Rajeev Gandhi Khel Ratna Award – K.M. Beenamol (2002-2003).
  • First Malayali Winner of Dronacharya Award – O.M. Nambiar (1985). 
  • First Malayali to win medal in Youth Olympics – H.S. Prannoy (Badminton, Silver, 2010).

International


  • First Booker Prize Winner from Kerala – Arundhati Roy (The God of Small Things, 1997).
  • First Malayali Magsaysay Award Winner – Verghese Kurian.
  • First Oscar Winner of Kerala – Resul Pookutty (Best Sound Mixing, Slumdog Millionaire, 2009).  
  • First Asian to win Jit Gill Memorial Award instituted by the World Bank for Social Service – Dr. Samuel Paul (2006).

Films & Entertainment


  • First Malayalam Movie – Vigathakumaran.
  • First Malayalam Sound Movie – Balan.
  • First Malayalam Color Film – Kandam Becha Coat.
  • First actor to win Bharat Award (National Film Award) – P.J. Antony.
  • First Malayalam Playback Singers – Govinda Rao & Sarojini Menon.
  • First Private TV Channel of Kerala – Asianet.
  • First Malayalam Channel to telecast English news – Jeevan TV (2002).
  • First Political Drama to be staged in Kerala – Pattabaakki.
    • The drama “Pattabacki” is written by – K. Damodaran.
  • First Full-fledged Sanskrit drama in South India – Ashcharya Chudamani.

Sports


  • First Sports School – Thiruvananthapuram.
  • First Sports Council President – Col. P. R. Godavarma Raja.
  • First Malayali Olympian – C.K. Lakshmanan (110m Hurdles, 1924).
  • First Malayali Olympian from Independent India to participate in an individual event – Suresh Babu (Long Jump, 1972).
  • First Malayali Woman to participate in an Olympic Event – P.T. Usha (100m, 200m, 1980).
  • First Professional Football Club In Kerala – FC Kochin (1990).
    • First professional football club in India as well.
  • First Indian to Control Olympic Boxing Competition – P. K. Muraleedharan (2004).
  • First Cricketer from Kerala to represent India at the international level – Tinu Yohannan.

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📝SideNotes:

  • Kerala Sports Day – October 13.
  • Father of Kerala Sports – G.V. Raja (Col. P. R. Godavarma Raja).
  • Kerala & Santhosh Trophy – 4 times. (1973, 1993, 2001 ,2004 & 2018)
    • First – 1973.
    • Last – 2018.
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