Sesham directed by T K Rajiv Kumar and produced by Latha Rajiv and Madhavan, has won the Kerala government's coveted best film award for 2001 while T V Chandran has been adjudged the best director for his work "Dani".

The awards were announced by state Culture Minister G Karthikeyan in the presence of jury headed by director Priyadarsan and state Chalachitra Academy Chairman Adoor Gopalakrishnan.

Announcing the winners, the Minister said Murali has bagged the best actor's award for his splendid portrayal of the inner-conflicts of an aged communist in Neythukaran. Suhasini has bagged the best actress' award for her lucid and controlled presentation of the central character in Theerthadanam.

Actor Jayaram has won a special jury award for displaying versatility in portrayal of characters in three films featuring him that had come up for award screening.

Meghamalahar directed by Kamal, was adjudged the second best film. Cochin Haneefa was chosen for the second best actor award for his role in Suthradharan and Sona Nair as the second best actress for her performance in Neythukaran.

While Girish Puthanchery has won the best lyricist's award for his songs in Ravana Prabhu, M G Radhakrishnan was adjudged the best music director for his scores in Achchaneyanenikkishtam.

K J Yesudas, once again was chosen for the best playback singer award for his rendering of a song in Ravana Prabhu while K S Chitra gets the best female singer's award for her song in Theerthadanam.

Ravana Prabhu, directed by Ranjith has won the award for the work that blends artistic value with popular appeal.

The award for the best book on film goes to Dr Sudha Warrier for her Anukalapathinte Attaprakaram. Priyanandanan gets the award for debut in directing his Neythukaran. O K Johny's book 'Cinemayute Varthamanam" has won a special jury award for his high standard and analytical quality.

Besides Priyadarsan, the jury comprised U A Khadar, Dr Rajendra Babu, Sivaprasad, Rajiv Menon, Kavitha Lankesh, and S Bhasura Chandran.

Other awards announced were: The best child artiste: Krishna (Sari) The Best story: T K Rajiv Kumar (Sesham) The best script: Kamal (Meghamalhar) The best cinematography: Jayan K G ( Dani) The best background music: Kaithpram Viswanath (Kannaki) The best editing : Sreedhar Prasad (Sesham) The best sound recording: Saimon Selvaraj (Sesham)

The best colour lab: Chitranjali studio (Dani) The best costume design: Sabita Jayaraj (Kannaki) The best children's film : Pualarvattom ( Directed by Hari Kumar).