Jnanpith Award Conferred on Vairamuthu; Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin Extends Congratulations

The selection committee on Saturday announced that renowned Tamil film lyricist Vairamuthu has been chosen for the Jnanpith Award (2025), one of the most prestigious honors in the field of literature. On this occasion, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Rajya Sabha member Kamal Haasan and several others extended their congratulations to Vairamuthu through the social media platform X. Born in 1953 in Mettur, Theni district, Vairamuthu gained recognition for his writing during his college days. His poetry collection “Vaikarai Meghangal” became part of the curriculum at a women’s college during that period.

While serving in the Official Language Commission of the Tamil Nadu government, Vairamuthu made his entry into the Tamil film industry as a lyricist in 1980 through the film “Nizhalgal,” directed by the legendary filmmaker Bharathiraja. Over the years, he has authored around 40 books, including poetry and novels and written nearly 7,500 songs for films. In recognition of his literary excellence, he has already received several prestigious awards such as the Sahitya Akademi Award, Sadhana Samman, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. He is also the only writer to have won the National Award for Best Lyricist seven times. Additionally, he has received the Best Lyricist award from the state government six times. Notably, he becomes the third writer from Tamil Nadu to receive the Jnanpith Award, after Akilan (1975) and Jayakanthan (2002).

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin congratulated Vairamuthu on being selected for the Jnanpith Award. He stated that it is a matter of pride that “Kaviperarasu” Vairamuthu, who has enriched the Tamil language with his poetic brilliance, has received this prestigious honor. Stalin also mentioned that he had recently met and spoken with Vairamuthu in person, and learning about the award shortly after that meeting doubled his happiness, as he shared in a post on X.