During her long literary career, she won several awards and honors including Odakuzhal Award (1978) and Kerala Sahithya Academy Award (1980) for Varnaraji, Kendra Sahithya Academy Award (1986) for Kavithadhwani, Lalithambika Antarjanam Award (1999), Vallathol Award (2002), Basheer Award (2005), Guptan Nair Memorial Award (2007), Vayalar Ramavarma Award (2007) for Appuvinte Anweshanam, and FACT MKK Nayar Award (2009). Leelavathy is also a recipient of Padma Shri Award for her contribution to the Malayalam literature and education.
Leelavathy was born(16 September 1927) in Kottapadi near Guruvayur in Thrissur district. She attended school in Kunnamkulam before joining Maharaja's College, Ernakulam for her B.A. dgree. She received her M.A. degree from Madras University. Leelavathi began her teaching career in 1949 as a lecturere at Victoria College, Palakkad and subsequently taught at Maharaja's College and Government Brennen College, Thalassery. She was awarded her Ph.D. degree from Kerala University in 1972. For a brief period of time, she also served as a Visiting Professor in University of Calicut. Leelavathy retired from Brennen College in 1983.