Latest revision as of 10:15, 29 March 2026

[edit] Controversies

[edit] Andal

Nothing wrong in what Vairamuthu said about Andal, states Madras HC, January 19, 2018: The Times of India

HIGHLIGHTS

The court was reportedly hearing a PIL seeking action against Vairamuthu for ‘hurting Hindu sentiments’ by calling Hindu deity Andal as a ‘devadasi’.

What began as a demand for the poet to apologize quickly snowballed into a larger controversy

The lyricist received massive support from a group of 17 Tamil writers after the protests against him intensified.

Madras high court declared that Tamil writer and film lyricist Vairamuthu said nothing objectionable about seventh century goddess Andal, reported ANI. The court was reportedly hearing a PIL seeking action against Vairamuthu for 'hurting Hindu sentiments' by calling Hindu deity Andal as a 'devadasi' (female servant of god) in an essay he wrote earlier this month.

What began as a demand for the poet to apologize quickly snowballed into a larger controversy, with several Hindu religious sects joining in to give it a Hindutva political colour.

The protesters criticized him for making a 'derogatory remark' on the lone female Alvar among the 12 saints revered for their contribution toward Vaishnavism.

Amidst this raging controversy, Varaimuthu spoke to TOI and defended himself by claiming that Andal was like his mother and he would never do anything to disrespect her.

"I did not use the reference even in the minutest extent to malign her. Just as my mother breast-fed me, Andal fed me with her Tamil and made me what I am today. How will I denigrate my mother?" he argued.

The lyricist received massive support from a group of 17 Tamil writers after the protests against him intensified.

"He has already given clarification for the reference even though he has not done anything wrong. We have to condemn attempts by divisive forces to sensationalize the issue by instigating orchestrated protests," the writers said.

[edit] Honours

[edit] 2021: ONV Literary Prize

May 27, 2021: The Times of India

Well-known Tamil poet-lyricist, Vairamuthu has been chosen for the fifth ONV Literary Prize, instituted in memory of Jnanpith laureate Malayalam poet late ONV Kurup.

The award, being given to poets from Malayalam and other Indian languages by the ONV Cultural Academy here, comprises a cash prize of ₹ 3,00,000 and citation. An expert jury, comprising Malayalam University vice chancellor Anil Vallathol and poets Alankode Leelakrishnan and Prabha Varma, selected the winner. Noted critic M Leelavathi had bagged the award last year. PTI

[edit] 2026: Jnanpith

March 15, 2026: The Times of India

Chennai : Tamil poet and lyricist Vairamuthu has been chosen for the country’s highest literary award, Jnanpith, for the year 2025. 


He is only the third Tamil litterateur to be chosen for this award. after Akilan (1975) and Jayakanthan (2002). However, he is the first to receive the award for Tamil poetry; the other two got it for their prose.


“To me, literature should elevate humankind. I travel among their dreams and emotions. I had two wings. With this award, I feel I’ve two more wings. I dedicate this award with gratitude to Tamil society and its people,” Vairamuthu told TOI on Saturday.


“Jnanpith should have first gone to the great poet Bharathidasan. Unfortunately, he passed away before the award was instituted. So, Malayalam poet G Shankara Kurup got the first award in 1965. Sixty years later, as a poet, I’m proud to bring this award to Tamil Nadu,” Vairamuthu said. 
“I can understand this delay in recognizing Tamil writers, because this award is being given on a rotational basis.

However, the Hindi literary world has got this award 12 times, Kannada eight times, and Malayalam six times. Tamil being a classical language should have been given more attention. That is my only regret. Hope, in future more Tamil writers will receive this award,” Vairamuthu said.


Born in Theni district on July 13, 1953, Vairamuthu earned his master’s in Tamil from Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai with gold medal. 


At the age of 18, he published his first poetry collection ‘Vaigarai Meengal’ while he was still a student.


Vairamuthu began working in the Official Language Commission of TN govt. In 1980, he entered Tamil film industry as a lyricist in the film ‘Nizhalgal’, directed by Bharathiraja. The song ‘Idhu oru ponmaalai pozhuthu’, with music composed by Ilayaraaja, was praised for its new imagery. This knack of introducing new imagery, words, metaphors, similes, and alliterations earned Vairamuthu the title ‘Kaviperarasu’ (literally, Emperor of Poets).


Vairamuthu has penned more than 8,000 songs and has won seven national awards for his lyrics. He has arare distinction of writings songs for three generations, starting from Sivaji Ganesan to Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth to Dhanush and Vijay Sethupathi. “Every day, I learn new things and update myself. That’s why I am able to work with different generations,” Vairamuthu added.