Vairamuthu wins Jnanpith Award amid #MeToo allegations. (Photo: X, Canva)
Tamil poet and lyricist Vairamuthu Ramasamy has been awarded the 60th Jnanpith Award, India’s most prestigious literary accolade, for his outstanding contribution to Tamil literature.
Over his prolific career, Vairamuthu has written more than 7,500 songs and poems, won seven National Awards the most for any Indian lyricist and been honoured with the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and the Sahitya Akademi Award.
Despite his achievements, Vairamuthu’s career has been overshadowed by serious allegations. In 2018, as part of the #MeToo movement, singer Chinmayi Sripaada and several other women accused him of sexual harassment. The accusations included abuse of power and misconduct in the Tamil film and literary circles, sparking long-standing debates about accountability in the arts.
Actor and politician Kamal Haasan publicly congratulated Vairamuthu, calling him a “friend” and noting that he was the first Tamil literary figure in 20 years to win the Jnanpith Award, following Jayakanthan. Kamal also quoted Vairamuthu’s poetry, saying it deeply inspired him and led to their friendship.
Chinmayi quickly responded on social media, criticizing Kamal Haasan for supporting a man accused by multiple women. She wrote, “Men in such power… turning a deaf ear to women who come on record to say they were molested… must remind women who vote that men will never be on our side.” Chinmayi also highlighted her own struggles after speaking out, including being banned from singing and dubbing in Tamil cinema.
The controversy surrounding Vairamuthu is not new. In 2021, he had to decline the ONV Literary Award after protests over awarding someone accused of harassment. Activists and literary circles have repeatedly debated whether personal misconduct should overshadow professional achievements.
Born in 1953, Vairamuthu began his career in Tamil cinema with Nizhalgal (1980), directed by Bharathiraja and scored by Ilaiyaraaja. Over four decades, he has been a dominant figure in Tamil literature and film music, shaping the industry with his unique poetic voice. The Jnanpith Award further cements his status as one of the most influential literary figures of Tamil Nadu.
While Vairamuthu’s literary contributions are undeniable, the combination of his #MeToo allegations and Kamal Haasan’s praise has reignited public debate. Chinmayi’s criticism underscores the struggle women face in industries where powerful men are often protected by fame, friendships, or politics. The conversation continues: can artistic brilliance be celebrated separately from personal misconduct, or do allegations leave a permanent shadow on such honours?
Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience reporting on Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes journalism plays a crucial role in amplifying unheard voices and bringing attention to issues that truly matter. Sofia has contributed articles to The New Indian Express, Youth Ki Awaaz, and Maktoob Media. She is also a recipient of the 2025 Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitivity. Beyond the newsroom, she is a music enthusiast who enjoys singing. Connect with Sofia on X: https://x.com/SBCism
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