The award was set up in 1982. The award jury selects a  literary work for the award. Each year a separate branch of literature, like poetry, novels, story books, studies, etc., is considered for selection of work. A short-list is prepared after a preliminary scrutiny of the manuscripts and/or printed books received for consideration, and a three-member jury decides the work for award out of this short-listed selection. Initially the amount of Award was Rs.2,500 which was enhanced to Rs.3,000 and then to Rs.5,000 and from 2010 onwards to Rs. 10,000.00. From 2013 onwards the amount has been increased to Rs. 25,000.00.  
Names of winners of Edasseri Award since its inception:
Name of the Author Year Title of the Book

N.K. Desam 
S. Ramesan Nair 
S.V. Venugopan Nair 
Nellikkal Muraleedharan 
Ashitha 
Nalini Bekal 
N.P. Hafis Muhamed 
K.P. Ramanunni 
Paul Kallanode 
A.V. Sreekanta Poduval 
Karimpuzha Ramachandran 
Sreedharanunni 
Joy Mathew 
Ashokan Charuvil 
M. Krishnan Namboodiri 
P. Udaya Bhanu 
K. Raghunath 
Satish K. Satish 
Ambikasuthan Mangad 
Prameela Devi 
C. Ashraf
M. Kamaruddin
Haridas Karivallur
Divakaran Vishnumangalam
Dr. Budhanoor Raghunath
Dr. B. Sandhya
Susmesh Chanthroth
No award given
P. M. Govindanunni
P. Vijayakumar
Rafael Thykkattil
Dr.M.R. Raghava Warriyar
Unnikrishnan Cheruthuruthy
N. Rajan
T.P. Venugopal
shahina E.K.
Dr. Valsalan Vathusseri
Dr. A.N. Krishnan
Dr. Mini Prasad
Dr. S. Girishkumar
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
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1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
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2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2015
2015
2016
2016
2016
2016
Ullekham
Soorya Hridayam 
Rekhayillatha Oral 
Purappad
Vismaya Chhihnangal 
Moochilottamma 
Poovum Puzhayum 
Soofi Paranja Katha 
Aalparppillatha Veedu 
Venuganam 
Sloka Kacheri
Vazhi 
Madhyadharanyazhi 
Oru Ratrikku Oru Pakal 
Akshara Soundaryam
Atanja Vathil 
Samadhanathinnu Vendiyulla Yudhangal
Rose Mary Parayanirunnathu 
Commercial Break
Vatakaveettile Sandhya
Chila Visudha Janmangalude Viseshangal
Puthiya Niyamam
Jeevitham Thudakkan Oru Thoovala
Jeevante Button
Kuthirakkarante Makan
Neelakoduveliyude Kavalkkari
Swarnamahal
Regret, no deserving entry for poetry this year
Amaratharakam Mahayathra
Mahayathra
354-lekku Neelunna Yathrakal
Malayalakavitha:AdhunikathayumParambaryvum
Dehali
Moonnu Mudivettukar
Kunnumpuram Carnival
Puthumazhachurulla Chumbanangal
Malayala Sahitya Niroopanam,
Atarukal, Atayalangal Arthasamvadam
Penkathakalude Feminist Vayana
Gandhamadanagirinirakalil