Vayalar Award is presented annually on 27th of October to commemorate Vayalar Ramavarma's – a renowned Malayalam poet – death anniversary. The first Vayalar Puraskaram was awarded to Lalithambika Antarjanam for ‘Agni Sakshi.'
The award carries a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, a memento designed in bronze by Kanayi Kunhiraman, and a certificate.
List of Recipients
| Year | Recipient | Works |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Lalithambika Antharjanam | Agnisakshi |
| 1978 | P. K. Balakrishnan | Ini Njan Urangatte |
| 1979 | Malayattoor Ramakrishnan | Yanthram |
| 1980 | Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai | Kayar |
| 1981 | Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon | Makarakoithu |
| 1982 | O. N. V. Kurup | Uppu |
| 1983 | Vilasini (M. K. Menon) | Avakasikal |
| 1984 | Sugathakumari | Ambalamani |
| 1985 | M. T. Vasudevan Nair | Randamoozham |
| 1986 | N. N. Kakkadu | Saphalameeyathra |
| 1987 | N. Krishna Pillai | Prathipathram Bhashanabhedam |
| 1988 | Thirunalloor Karunakaran | Thirunalloor Karunakarante Kavithakal |
| 1989 | Sukumar Azhikode | Thathwamasi |
| 1990 | C. Radhakrishnan | Munpe Parakkunna Pakshikal |
| 1991 | O. V. Vijayan | Gurusagaram |
| 1992 | M. K. Sanu | Changambuzha: Nakshathrangalude Snehabhajanam |
| 1993 | Anand | Marubhoomikal Undakunnathu |
| 1994 | K. Surendran | Guru |
| 1995 | Thikkodiyan | Arangu Kanatha Nadan |
| 1996 | Perumbadavam | Sreedharan Oru Sankeerthanam Pole |
| 1997 | Madhavikutty (Kamala Surayya) | Neermathalam Pootha Kalam |
| 1998 | S. Guptan Nair | Srishtiyum Srishtavum |
| 1999 | Kovilan | Thattakam |
| 2000 | T. Padmanabhan | Puzha Kadannu Marangalude Idayilekku |
| 2001 | M. V. Devan | Devaspandanam |
| 2002 | K. Ayyappapanicker | Ayyappapanickerude Krithikal |
| 2003 | M. Mukundan | Kesavante Vilapangal |
| 2004 | Sarah Joseph | Alahayude Penmakkal |
| 2005 | K. Satchidanandan | Sakshyangal |
| 2006 | Sethu | Adayalangal |
| 2007 | M. Leelavathy | Appuvinte Anweshanam |
| 2008 | M. P. Veerendra Kumar | Haimavathabhuvil |
| 2009 | M. Thomas Mathew | Marar: Lavanyanubhavathinte Yuktishilpam |
| 2010 | Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri | Charulatha |
| 2011 | K. P. Ramanunni | Jeevithathinte Pusthakam |
| 2012 | Akkitham | Anthimahakalam |
| 2013 | Prabha Varma | Shyama Madhavam |
| 2014 | K. R. Meera | Aarachaar |
| 2015 | Subhash Chandran | Manushyanu Oru Aamukham |
| 2016 | U. K. Kumaran | Thakshankunnu Swaroopam |
| 2017 | T. D. Ramakrishnan | Sugandhi Enna Andal Devanayaki |
| 2018 | KV Mohankumar | Ushnarashi - Karappurathinte Ithihasam |
| 2019 | V.J. James | നിരീശ്വരൻ (42nd). |
| 2020 | Ezhacheri Ramachandran | Oru Virginian Veyilkaalam (ഒരു വെർജീനിയൻ വെയിൽകാലം) |
| 2021 | Benyamin | Manthalirile 20 Communist Varshangal (മാന്തളിരിലെ 20 കമ്യൂണിസ്റ്റ് വര്ഷങ്ങള്) |
| 2022 | S. Hareesh | Meesha (മീശ) |
| 2023 | Sreekumaran Thampi (47th) | Jeevitham Oru Pendulum (ജീവിതം ഒരു പെൻഡുലം, ആത്മകഥ) |
SideNotes:
- Autobiography of Lalithambika Antharjanam – Aathmakadhakkoru Aamukham (ആത്മകഥയ്ക്ക് ഒരാമുഖം).
- Oru Virginian Veyilkaalam – a collection of 41 poems.
- Ezhacheri Ramachandran – Poet.
- Notable Works –
- Ardrasamudram,
- Bhandurangeepuram,
- Kattuchikkiya Thelimanalil,
- Kayyur,
- Neeli,
- Uyarum Njan Nadake,
- "Chandamanithavil Pathichari" (Famous Malayalam Song).