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Malayalam Publisher’s CEO to Receive Prestigious French Civilian Award
Malayalam Publisher’s CEO to Receive Prestigious French Civilian AwardRavi Decee, the CEO of Malayalam Publishing House, DC Books, is set to receive the French civilian distinction, the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, marking a rare global acknowledgement of Indian-language publishing.
The award ceremony will be held at the Embassy of France in Delhi on December 4.
Deecee, who leads the renowned Malayalam publishing house, is among the very few Indian publishers to have been chosen for this French distinction. Earlier Indian awardees include Pramod Kapoor, founder of Roli Books, and Aditi Maheswari, CEO of the Vani Prakashan Group.
Deecee is also the founder and chief facilitator of the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF).
What is Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters)?
The Order of Arts and Letters is a prestigious recognition awarded for the recognition of significant contributions to the arts, literature, or the propagation of these fields.
Not limited to French nationals, the Order is structured in three ranks:
Commandeur (Commander): Worn on a necklet; limited to 20 awardees annually
Officier (Officer): Worn on a ribbon with a rosette on the left breast; up to 60 recipients each year
Chevalier (Knight): Worn on a ribbon on the left breast; capped at 200 honourees per year
DC Books
Established in 1974 by Dominic Chacko Kizhakemuri and based in Kottayam, Kerala, DC Books carries forward a rich literary legacy that traces its roots to pre-independence India. Its extensive catalogue spans classical and modern Malayalam literature, translations of works by Booker and Nobel laureates, a vibrant collection of children’s books, and a wide range of other genres. Today, DC Books ranks among India’s top ten publishers and book retailers, releasing over 1,500 titles each year.
In 2008, the company launched India’s first comprehensive e-book platform and has since grown into the country’s largest producer of audiobooks. It has also published authoritative Malayalam dictionaries, long regarded as essential reference tools for linguists and translators.