Tamil Nadu to award annual literary awards in seven languages

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday announced an annual literary award for outstanding works in several Indian languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Bengali and Marathi.

The award, under the auspices of the state government, will carry a cash prize of ₹5 lakh and will be known as the ‘Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu’ (Classical Language Literary Award), the Chief Minister said. 

In the first phase, the awards will recognise the best literary works in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odiya, Bengali, and Marathi.

Speaking at the valedictory function of the Chennai International Book Fair, Stalin referred to the cancellation of the announcement of the Sahitya Akademi awards, which he attributed to alleged intervention by the Union Ministry of Culture.

Highlighting what he described as growing uncertainty surrounding literary honours, the Chief Minister said political interference in art and literature was dangerous. He added that several writers and representatives of literary organisations had urged him to come up with a constructive and appropriate response in the prevailing circumstances.

“We also realise that this is the need of the hour, and I would like to make an announcement that will make you all happy,” Stalin said. He added that the Tamil Nadu government would confer national-level awards every year for the best literary works in select Indian languages.

The Chief Minister said the state government would act as a patron for the awards, while the selection process would be entrusted to independent experts. To ensure quality and transparency, separate committees would be constituted for each language, comprising reputed writers.