Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 11 (IANS): Former journalist K.R. Meera, 44, has bagged the Vayalar Rama Varma Award, the most prestigious literary award in Kerala.

Announcing this here Saturday, M.K. Sanu, a trustee of the Vayalar Rama Varma Trust said that Meera's novel "Aarachaar" won her the award.

"The award carries a cash prize of Rs.25,000 and a citation. The award would be given on the 27th of this month at a function to be held here," said Sanu.

Meera, after working as a journalist in Malayalam Manorama, quit her job to concentrate on her writing.

She became a successful writer and won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 2009 for her short story "Ave Maria".

She has also written scripts for television serials and Malayalam films.

The award winning novel "Aarachaar" set in Bengal tells the tale of a family of executioners with a long lineage and the protagonist of the novel, Chetna, a woman, struggles to join the profession.

"This is a huge honour for people of my age, as it shows that we have come of age. This is going to be great motivation for people in my age group," said Meera.