Gnanapith Award for writer Vairamuthu! - V.N.Giritharan

The Jnanpith Award is presented by the family that runs 'The Times of India' newspaper group. It is not like the Sahitya Akademi Award given by the Indian government, but it is considered a prestigious award. This time, it has been awarded to writer Vairamuthu. He is a well-known Tamil cinema lyricist. He has received it for his lifelong contributions to art and literature, and not for a specific individual work. 

Many individuals, including writer Jeyamohan, also present awards through various organizations. They select deserving recipients based on their own perspectives. State governments also confer similar awards. However, the Jnanpith Award is presented by a family.

I have occasionally listened to Poet Vairamuthu's film songs. Many of his songs have captivated me with their language. I haven't read all of his fiction, but I have read 'Kallikkattu Ithikasam' (The Epic of the Cactus Forest). It is certainly an award-worthy novel. It is not only rich with the scent of the soil, but also powerfully expresses the tragedy of how the government, authority, and the construction of a new dam turn the people of Kallipattu village into refugees in their own land, and the resulting pain. The novel reveals how meticulously the novelist has observed the land, the people, and nature. He has written the dialogues with vivid realism.

Today, many of those who mock him probably haven't read his writings. It appears they are forming opinions about him based on his party politics, the accusations made against him by women, and some of his personal shortcomings. The communist Mikhail Sholokhov received the Nobel Prize. Religious figures like Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky produced some of the world's greatest literary works. If one approaches Poet Vairamuthu's works as literary creations, then it will become clear whether they are literature or not.

He is also a film lyricist. Therefore, not all film songs can be considered supreme literary works; some might have been written for commercial purposes. In truth, writing a novel like 'Kallikkattu Ithikasam' – one so imbued with the essence of the land, vibrant dialogues, and deep understanding of nature – is no easy feat.

I have savored his unique speeches at public gatherings; they are delightful to the ears. Millions of readers enjoy his writings. He has authored numerous books, including poetry, essays, and novels. He has penned thousands of Tamil film songs. Based on these contributions, the literary organization of that family has presented him with this award.

A literary award from a family has been bestowed upon an individual. For this, we can commend both the awarding family and the recipient. Congratulations to Poet Vairamuthu.