Su Venkatesan, the script writer of filmmaker Vasanthabalan's upcoming venture 'Aravaan', has been selected for the country's highest literary honour Sahitya Akademi Award for the year 2011, for his book titled 'Kaaval Kottam'.

Interestingly, the story of 'Aravaan' is inspired by a small episode from this celebrated novel, which captures 600 years of history of Madurai between 1310 and 1920. The 1048-page novel begins with the pillage of the temple town, which has an ancient history.

Vasanthabalan and other members of the 'Aravaan' team are on cloud nine that their script-writer Su Venkatesan has been selected for the award. "When I was clueless what to do as my next venture after completing Angadi Theru, a sub plot in Kaaval Kottam ignited the spark in me. It is now taking shape as Aravaan. I am so happy that Venkatesan was selected for the Akademi Award. He deserves it," says Vasanthabalan.

"I am extremely happy on getting this award. It's a due recognition given to eligible work at the right time. I would like to consider this as recognition for the works of debutants like me," Venkatesan said, expressing happiness. In the first three years of my labour for this novel, I did not decide whether it will be fiction or non-fiction. I decided it will be a novel much later. We have a lot of good, young writers in Tamil and I share this honour with them,” the writer said.

The honour has come at an apt time, so to say, as the film is getting ready for a release. Produced by T Siva's Amma Creations, 'Aravaan' has Aadhi, Pasupathi, Dhanshika in lead roles and the marks the debut of singer Karthi as music composer.

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