Sahitya Akademi Award is given each year, since 1955, by Sahitya Akademi (India’s National Academy of Letters), to Indian writers for their outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the 24 major Indian languages. The list of Malayalam language writers who have won the award is given below.
| Year | Recipients | Book | Book Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | R. Narayana Panikkar | Bhasha Sahitya Charitram | History of Literature |
| 1956 | I. C. Chacko, Illiparambil | Paniniya Pradyotam | Commentary |
| 1957 | Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai | Chemmeen | Novel |
| 1958 | K. P. Kesava Menon | Kazhinja Kaalam | Autobiography |
| 1960 | Uroob (P. C. Kuttikrishnan) | Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum | Novel |
| 1963 | G. Sankara Kurup | Viswadarsanam | Poetry |
| 1964 | P. Kesava Dev | Ayalkkar | Novel |
| 1965 | N. Balamani Amma | Muthassi | Poetry |
| 1966 | K. M. Kuttikrishna Marar | Kala Jeevitham Thanne | Essays |
| 1967 | P. Kunhiraman Nair | Thamarathoni | Poetry |
| 1969 | Edasseri Govindan Nair | Kavile Pattu | Poetry |
| 1970 | M. T. Vasudevan Nair | Kaalam | Novel |
| 1971 | Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon | Vida | Poetry |
| 1972 | S. K. Pottekkatt | Oru Desathinte Katha | Novel |
| 1973 | Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri | Balidarsanam | Poetry |
| 1974 | Vennikkulam Gopala Kurup | Kamasurabhi | Poetry |
| 1975 | O. N. V. Kurup | Aksharam | Poetry |
| 1976 | Cherukadu (Cherukad Govinda Pisharodi) | Jeevithappatha | Autobiography |
| 1977 | N. Lalithambika Antharjanam | Agnisakshi | Novel |
| 1978 | B. Sugathakumari | Ratrimazha | Poetry |
| 1979 | N. V. Krishna Warrier | Vallatholinte Kavyasilpam | Literary criticism |
| 1980 | Punathil Kunhabdulla | Smaraka Silakal | Novel |
| 1981 | Vilasini (M. K. Menon) | Avakasikal | Novel |
| 1982 | V. K. N. | Payyan Kathakal | Short stories |
| 1983 | S. Guptan Nair | Thiranjedutha Prabandhangal | Essays |
| 1984 | K. Ayyappa Paniker | Ayyappa Panikkarute Kritikal | Poetry |
| 1985 | Sukumar Azhikode | Tathvamasi | Critical study |
| 1986 | M. Leelavathy | Kavitadwani | Critical study |
| 1987 | N. Krishna Pillai | Prathipathram Bhashanabhedam | Literary criticism |
| 1988 | E. Harikumar | Dinosarinte Kutty | Short stories |
| 1988 | C. Radhakrishnan | Spandamapinikale Nandi | Novel |
| 1989 | Olappamanna Subramanian Namboothirippad | Nizhalana | Poetry |
| 1990 | O. V. Vijayan | Gurusagaram | Novel |
| 1991 | M. P. Sankunni Nair | Chhatravum Chamaravum | Criticism |
| 1992 | M. Mukundan | Daivathinte Vikruthikal | Novel |
| 1993 | N. P. Mohammed | Daivathinte Kannu | Novel |
| 1994 | Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri | Ujjayiniyile Rappakalukal | Poetry |
| 1995 | Thikkodiyan (P. Kunjananandan Nair) | Arangu Kanatha Natan | Autobiography |
| 1996 | T. Padmanabhan | Gowri | Short stories |
| 1997 | Anand (P. Satchidanandan) | Govardhante Yatrakal | Novel |
| 1998 | Kovilan (V. V. Ayyappan) | Thattakam | Novel |
| 1999 | C. V. Sreeraman | Sreeramante Kathakal | Short stories |
| 2000 | R. Ramachandran | R. Ramachandrante Kavithakal | Poetry |
| 2001 | Attoor Ravi Varma | Attoor Ravi Varmayute Kavitakal | Poetry |
| 2002 | K. G. Sankara Pillai | K.G. Sankara Pillayude Kavitakal | Poems |
| 2003 | Sara Joseph | Aalahayude Penmakkal | Novel |
| 2004 | Paul Zachariah | Zachariyayute Kathakal | Short Stories |
| 2005 | G. V. Kakkanadan | Jappana Pukayila | Short Stories |
| 2006 | M. Sukumaran | Chuvanna Chinnangal | Short stories |
| 2007 | Sethu (A. Sethumadhavan) | Adayalangal | Novel |
| 2008 | K. P. Appan | Madhuram Ninte Jeevitham | Essays |
| 2009 | U. A. Khader | Thrikottoor Peruma | Novelite |
| 2010 | M. P. Veerendra Kumar | Haimavatha Bhoovil | Travelogue |
| 2011 | M. K. Sanu | Basheer: Ekantha Veedhiyile Avadhoothan | Biography |
| 2012 | K. Satchidanandan | Marannu Vecha Vasthukkal | Poems |
| 2013 | M. N. Paloor | Kathayillathavante Katha | Autobiography |
| 2014 | Subhash Chandran | Manushyanu Oru Aamukham | Novel |
| 2015 | K. R. Meera | Aarachaar | Novel |
| 2016 | Prabha Varma | Shyamamaadhavam | Poetry |
| 2017 | K. P. Ramanunni | Daivathinte Pusthakam | Novel |
| 2018 | S. Ramesan Nair | Guru Pournami | Poetry |
| 2019 | Dr. M Leelavathy | Srimad Valmiki Ramayanam | Translation |
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