Chennai, January 18, 2026: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on Sunday announced the institution of annual literary awards under the auspices of the state government, aimed at recognising outstanding contributions to literature in seven Indian languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odiya, Bengali, and Marathi. Named the “Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu” or the Classical Language Literary Award, each award will carry a cash prize of ₹5 lakh, making it one of the most significant state-sponsored recognitions for literary excellence in the country.
The announcement was made at the valedictory session of the Chennai International Book Fair (CIBF-2026), a prominent cultural event that has grown in stature over the years as a platform for promoting Indian literature and fostering international literary exchange. While the initiative itself was widely welcomed, the Chief Minister also took the opportunity to sharply criticise the Union Culture Ministry for alleged political interference in the prestigious Sahitya Akademi awards, which had recently seen their announcement cancelled, causing unease in literary circles.
Addressing the gathering, Stalin highlighted the uncertainty created by political meddling in literary matters, stating that “political interventions, even in art and literary awards, are dangerous.” He explained that the cancellation of the Sahitya Akademi awards had prompted writers, academicians, and representatives of literary bodies across India to appeal for a constructive and autonomous initiative to recognise literary talent without external interference. “We also have a realisation that this is the need of the hour, and I would like to make an announcement that will make you all happy,” he said, framing the Tamil Nadu government’s move as a timely and deliberate response to ensure recognition for Indian writers based on merit and artistic contribution rather than political considerations.
The Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu, as per Stalin’s announcement, will be a national-level award, and in its first phase, it will be conferred for works in seven major Indian languages—Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odiya, Bengali, and Marathi. The Chief Minister emphasised that the selection process for the awards would be independent, with committees comprising reputed writers and literary experts for each language, thereby ensuring transparency, credibility, and high standards in the evaluation of submissions. The Tamil Nadu government will act as a facilitator, providing the platform and resources, but the decisions regarding awardees will rest with independent experts, free from political influence.
Stalin linked the literary awards announcement to the broader cultural and educational initiatives taken by the Dravidian model government led by him. He stressed that the state administration has consistently sought to promote literacy, education, and cultural enrichment across households in Tamil Nadu. In this context, he described the Chennai International Book Fair as an integral component of the government’s efforts to expand access to literature, encourage reading, and foster cross-cultural understanding through translation and copyright exchanges.
“The book fair is not just a celebration of books,” he said, “it is a step towards taking knowledge and literature to every household. Great importance is being given to translations and copyright exchanges, which allow literary works to reach a wider audience and ensure that our stories are heard globally.” Stalin pointed to the success of Kannada writer Banu Mushtaq, winner of the International Booker Prize, as a case in point. Mushtaq’s work, translated into English as Heart Lamp, gained international attention, underscoring the critical role of translation in amplifying regional literary voices. “Her victory demonstrates why translations and copyright transfers are so important in today’s literary world,” Stalin noted.
In addition to recognising literary excellence, Stalin also highlighted the importance of giving space to voices from minority communities and those advocating social justice. He remarked, “Our book festival has been greatly enriched today by the arrival of a woman writer from our Dravidian language family, who belongs to a minority community, opposes regressive attitudes, and brings a perspective of social justice.” By emphasising inclusivity and the representation of marginalized voices, the Chief Minister reinforced the broader cultural and political ethos of the Tamil Nadu government.
As part of the book fair proceedings, Stalin also released 84 new books, including 44 from the Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation and 40 from the Public Library. These publications further reflect the government’s commitment to promoting reading, knowledge dissemination, and educational resources across the state. The fourth edition of the CIBF-2026 was held from January 16 to 18 at Kalaivanar Arangam, Chennai, and featured the theme “A Conversation Between Civilisations”, highlighting the fair’s focus on international cultural exchange and literary dialogue.
The fair attracted participation from over 100 countries, serving as a B2B platform for publishers and facilitating extensive international collaboration. According to the Tamil Nadu government, more than 1,800 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed during the event, covering 1,273 agreements on translating Tamil content into other languages and 260 agreements on bringing content from other languages into Tamil. These initiatives underscore the state’s ambition to make Tamil literature a global cultural force while simultaneously enriching the local literary ecosystem with works from around the world.
Stalin also used the event to comment on the future trajectory of the state’s government and cultural policies. With the Assembly elections scheduled for March-April 2026, he framed the current administration as the precursor to a “2.0” version of the Dravidian model government, promising to scale up cultural initiatives, expand the scope of the book fair, and further institutionalise support for literature, translation, and education in Tamil Nadu.
The Chief Minister’s address was attended by several senior ministers, including PK Sekar Babu (Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments), Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi (School Education), and Chennai Mayor R. Priya, along with other elected representatives. Their presence underscored the government’s commitment to integrating literary and cultural promotion into its wider developmental agenda, linking governance, education, and cultural diplomacy.
The announcement of the Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu represents a strategic effort by the Tamil Nadu government to assert state leadership in cultural affairs and literary recognition, particularly in response to perceived political interference at the national level. By highlighting the autonomy and credibility of the selection process, Stalin aimed to reassure the literary community that excellence and merit would guide the awards rather than external political considerations.
Beyond the immediate recognition of literary talent, the awards initiative aligns with broader cultural objectives of the Tamil Nadu government, including promoting translations, fostering international partnerships, and highlighting voices from minority and socially conscious communities. In doing so, it seeks to position Tamil Nadu as a hub for literary innovation and global cultural exchange, while simultaneously reinforcing the political narrative of the Dravidian government as a proactive patron of art, literature, and education.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s announcement marks a significant moment in the state’s cultural history. By establishing the Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu, the government is not only celebrating literature across multiple Indian languages but also asserting a model of governance that intertwines cultural promotion, political autonomy, and educational enrichment. As the state approaches elections, the initiative also reflects the political dimensions of cultural policymaking, highlighting the role of literature and art in shaping public discourse, identity, and governance priorities.
In summary, the Tamil Nadu government’s launch of these literary awards in seven languages, coupled with the emphasis on translation, international collaboration, and independent expert evaluation, positions the state as a leader in cultural promotion and literary excellence. Simultaneously, Chief Minister Stalin’s criticism of the Centre underscores ongoing tensions over cultural autonomy and political influence in literary affairs, making the announcement both a cultural milestone and a pointed political statement. With the upcoming Assembly elections, the Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhucould serve not only as a celebration of literature but also as a key element in projecting the government’s broader vision for Tamil Nadu’s cultural and educational development.
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