Vairamuthu's Jnanpith Award Row: Collective of Tamil Readers and Social Activists Demands Withdrawal of Honour

A group of Tamil creators, readers, and social activists has demanded that the Jnanpith Award given to Vairamuthu be revoked immediately.

In a letter endorsed by over 230 signatories, such as poet Sukumaran and actor Rohini, the group warned that honouring an individual they deem undeserving would undermine the award’s credibility and stature in the long run, as reported by The Hindu.

“Vairamuthu’s writings are nowhere close to reflecting Tamil society’s core values or its long-cherished cultural pride. Instead, his literary identity is defined by lowbrow writing, adorned with superficial and ornate rhetoric. Bestowing such a high honour upon a commercial writer basking in mere wordplay, whose works fail to reflect the genuine emotions of the people, is an insult to true literary stalwarts,” the letter stated.

They highlighted that, during the #MeToo movement, nearly 18 women publicly accused Vairamuthu of sexual harassment, arguing that recognising someone facing such serious allegations conflicts with the principles of a society that seeks to uphold women’s rights.

The letter also cited the ONV Literary Award, which was earlier announced for Vairamuthu but subsequently withdrawn by the Kerala Cultural Academy following protests. The letter added, “It is essential for the Jnanpith committee to consider this moral precedent set by KCA. Since it is contrary to literary ethics to bestow a prestigious honour upon an individual facing such serious allegations, the Jnanpith committee may take its cue from this precedence and withdraw its decision."

Earlier, while popular Tamil stars, including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and PC Sreeram, congratulated the lyricist-poet on social media, artists such as singer Chinmayi were quick to voice their disappointment. Vairamuthu had been accused of sexual harassment by many women, including Chinmayi, during the #MeToo movement.

"In 2018, multiple women of different age groups named one Poet - Lyricist as their molester. Today the Gnanpith is awarded to the man, after someone like Sri Jayakantan, whose daughter called Vairamuthu out for presenting a forged, fake letter by Sri Jayakanthan ‘praising’ Vairamuthu. A committee from Kerala announced him as for the ONV Kurup award which was later ‘returned’ as voices of justice from their society rose to speak against sullying Sri ONV Kurup’s name. The collective voices of the women who named him, were silenced. I paid a very heavy price - the rest of the women who left their dreams behind weren’t half as lucky as I," Chinmayi wrote on X.