The Sangeethavikas award for outstanding work in the field of literature work in English and Hindi and classical music in Malayalam, started by the music journal Samakalika Sangeetham, was awarded to Kavalam Narayana Panicker.
MT Vasudevan Nair gave him the award during a function in Kozhikode. According to Vasudevan Nair, Kavalam was an "acharya" of more than one art. He feels that Kavalam has made a noteworthy contribution to theatre and music.