Prof. O. Srilena Honored with Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi

The “Classical Tamil Award” will be presented as part of the 2024 Central Institute of Classical Tamil. Honorable Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin presented the Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Classical Tamil Award to Professor O. Srilena.

In a function held in the presence of the Honorable Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin today (8.11.2024), the Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Classical Tamil Award for 2024 was awarded to Professor O. Srilena of Chennai University, Tamil Department, Central Institute of Classical Tamil. The award includes a cash prize of 10 lakh rupees, a certificate of appreciation, and an icon of Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi of Chennai.

The Central Institute of Classical Tamil was established as a national institute after continuous pressure by the government and under the guidance of Tamil scholars, making Tamil the first classical language of India in 2004. This recognition was given after years of effort from the esteemed Tamil scholar Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, with the Union Government recognizing Tamil as the first classical language in 2004.

Later in 2008, the Tamil Nadu Government established the Central Institute of Classical Tamil in Chennai, which continues to function with the Honorable Tamil Nadu Chief Minister as its Chancellor. The institute also celebrates the legacy of Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, who donated one crore rupees to set up the Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Classical Tamil Archive on 24.07.2008.

Since then, the archive has sponsored the “Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Classical Tamil Award” annually, honoring scholars with notable achievements in the field of Tamil studies in areas such as philology, archaeology, literature, and cultural studies. The award includes 10 lakh rupees, a certificate of appreciation, and an icon of Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi.

The initial award in 2009 was given to the Finnish scholar Professor Asko Parpola, in a ceremony held in Tamil Nadu in June 2010, with the President of India in attendance. In later years, the awards were given to scholars from around the world who contributed to Tamil language and culture.

Continuing this tradition, the award for 2024 was presented today by the Honorable Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin to Professor O. Srilena.

Also present at the event were Honorable Minister for Tamil Development Thiru. M.P. Saminathan, Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, Press and Public Relations Secretary Thiru. N. Muruganandan, I.A.S., Tamil Development Director Dr. A. Arul, the Director of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil, Professor Ruth Sheressia, and other dignitaries.