- Musician and composer Ilaiyaraja has been selected for the prestigious Harivarasanam Awardd instituted by the state government for 2019. Each year, Harivarasanam Award is announced ahead of Makarvilakku Festival in Sabarimala.
- The award will be conferred on Ilayaraja on January 9 at a function to be held at Sabaraimala Sannidhanam. The ward consists of a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, citation and plaque. The award is jointly being instituted by the state government and Travancore Devaswom board, and is being awarded since 2012.