Published Mar 16, 2026 | 10:57 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 16, 2026 | 10:57 AM
B Jeyamohan.
Synopsis: Writer and literary critic B Jeyamohan has strongly criticised the decision to confer the Jnanpith Award on poet and lyricist Vairamuthu, saying the move undermines the stature of Tamil literature. Announcing a new initiative, Jeyamohan said a new literary honour titled the “Living Tamil Award for World Literature” will be instituted.
Renowned Tamil and Malayalam writer and literary critic B Jeyamohan has strongly criticised the decision to confer the Jnanpith Award on poet and lyricist Vairamuthu, saying the move undermines the stature of Tamil literature.
In a social media post, Jeyamohan recalled that nearly 50 years ago, when novelist Akilan received the Jnanpith Award, writer Sundara Ramaswamy had sharply criticised the decision. According to him, Sundara Ramaswamy’s critique has endured as a “classic” essay, while Akilan’s works have largely faded from public discussion.
Jeyamohan clarified that his criticism is not directed against a particular writer receiving an award, but against the credibility of the award itself. He argued that granting the Jnanpith to Akilan decades ago diminished Tamil literature’s standing in national literary circles and created the impression that Tamil lacked a strong modern literary tradition.
He further claimed that the recent decision to honour Vairamuthu would similarly damage ongoing efforts to introduce contemporary Tamil literature to global platforms. Over the past several years, he said, initiatives such as international Tamil literary conferences have worked to bring modern Tamil writing to the attention of global literary journals and audiences.
Recalling an incident at a Sahitya Akademi event, Jeyamohan said that a remark by poet and cultural figure Ashok Vajpeyi comparing the number of poems written by Vairamuthu with those of Rabindranath Tagore drew laughter from the audience, which he described as reflective of the way Tamil literature is sometimes perceived in national literary forums.
He also said several Tamil women writers and readers had contacted him expressing anger and humiliation over the award decision, describing it as an affront to Tamil literary dignity.
Announcing a new initiative, Jeyamohan said a new literary honour titled the “Living Tamil Award for World Literature” will be instituted. The award will recognise outstanding contributions to world and Indian literature and will carry a cash prize of ₹1 crore.
He said the award will be presented annually, with formal announcements to be made in New Delhi, Chennai, and New York.
As the debate surrounding the Jnanpith Award continues to trigger discussions on literary recognition and accountability, it is worth recalling a similar controversy that unfolded in Kerala in 2021 over the ONV Literary Award.
That year, the award was announced for Vairamuthu, a decision that quickly drew criticism from sections of the cultural community due to sexual misconduct allegations raised against him during the #MeToo movement.
Several actors, writers and women’s rights activists questioned the propriety of honouring a person facing such accusations.
The award, instituted in memory of renowned Malayalam poet ONV Kurup, recognises poets from Malayalam and other Indian languages. Kurup, one of Kerala’s most celebrated literary figures, passed away in 2016.
The jury that selected Vairamuthu comprised Anil Vallathol, then Vice Chancellor of Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University, along with poets Alankode Leelakrishnan and Prabha Varma. The announcement triggered strong reactions from within the Malayalam cultural sphere.
Actor Parvathy Thiruvothu said conferring the honour in Kurup’s name on a person accused of sexual harassment was deeply disrespectful to the poet’s legacy. She pointed out that multiple women had publicly shared allegations against the lyricist.
The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), a forum of women professionals in the Malayalam film industry, also condemned the decision. In a statement, the group argued that literary honours associated with Kurup should reflect the values of dignity and integrity that the poet stood for.
The organisation also noted that the #MeToo movement had reshaped global conversations on workplace harassment, including in India under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
Several writers and filmmakers, including KR Meera, Geetu Mohandas and Anjali Menon, also expressed concern over the choice.
Amid mounting criticism, the ONV Cultural Academy said it would review its decision. Soon after, Vairamuthu announced that he was declining the honour, stating that he did not wish to receive the award in the midst of controversy.
He also said the ₹3 lakh prize money would be donated to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund, along with an additional ₹2 lakh from his personal funds.
(With inputs from Subash Chandra Bose and Dileep V Kumar.)
