Akkitham Narayanan was awarded the "K. C. S. Paniker Puraskaram" by Kerala Lalitakala Academy in 2009 "in recognition of his assiduous art practice that has won him and his country international acclaim".
In 1966, former principal K.C.S. Paniker, along with his students and some artists associated with the college, founded the Cholamandal Artists' Village, near Chennai, which is still considered, '10 biggest art moments' in India.