One of the outstanding sculptors of Kerala, Kanai Kunhiraman becomes the first sculptor to win the award instituted by the Department of Culture, Government of Kerala, in memory of widely acclaimed painter Raja Ravi Varma. His beautiful and exquisite sculptures are (Mermaid) Malasya Kanyaka at Shangumugham, Yakshi at Malampuzha dam, Palakkad, Shanku at Veli Lake and Mother and child at Payyambalam, Kannur.