Stalin Unveils 2025 Semma Chozhi Day Awards and Grants

On the birthday of the great Tamil scholar and artist Kalaignar [Name], who endowed Tamil with exceptional excellence, on June 3rd – “Semma Chozhi Day Celebration” – the 2025 “Kalaignar Semma Chozhi Tamil Award,” prizes for winners of the Semma Chozhi Day competitions, five distinguished senior Tamil scholars promoted with assistance grants, the four-year anthology of the Tamil Nadu Government, and two books prepared by the Semma Chozhi Tamil Research Foundation were released by the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M.K. Stalin.

Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M.K. Stalin, today (03.06.2025) at Chennai, Kalaignar Auditorium, on the occasion of the “Semma Chozhi Day Celebration” marking the birthday of the great Tamil scholar and artist Kalaignar [Name], released the 2025 “Kalaignar Semma Chozhi Tamil Award,” prizes for winners of the Semma Chozhi Day competitions, five distinguished senior Tamil scholars promoted with assistance grants, the “Four-Year Anthology” published under the aegis of the Tamil Nadu Government, and the books “Tamil Vilanayadigal – Veraittru Chozhiyal Aivu” and “Enga Iyakkiya Chol Elam” prepared by the Semma Chozhi Tamil Research Foundation.

On this occasion, poems “Santhanal,” “Thanthanal,” “Sodhal Lenaipu,” “Naduvunal,” “Eisa Chozhigalukku Thoy,” “Tetharu Sevippodu,” “Piracha Chozhi Thokkilgal,” “Elakkiya Elam,” “Uyar Sindhalan,” “Kalai,” “Elakkiya Thanthanal Sevippodu-Pengalippu,” and “Chozhi Pakottupodu,” which showcase the qualities that endowed Tamil with exceptional excellence by the great Tamil scholar and artist Kalaignar [Name], were presented.

It was also announced that every year, June 3rd would be commemorated as “Semma Chozhi Day” under the auspices of the Tamil Nadu Government’s Tamil Development Department, on the birthday of Kalaignar [Name], who endowed Tamil with exceptional excellence.

Accordingly, today (03.06.2025) at Chennai, Kalaignar Auditorium, the birthday “Semma Chozhi Day” of the great Tamil scholar and artist Kalaignar [Name] was celebrated under the leadership of Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M.K. Stalin.

At this celebration, under the leadership of Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M.K. Stalin, in association with the Tamil Development Department, Tamil Development Activities, Chozhi Scholarship Activities, Semantics, Chozhi Excellence, Chozhi Research, and Chozhi Scholarship, books and photographs prepared by the Tamil Education Department’s visual arts division and other institutions were exhibited on stage.

Following that, an event titled “Muththamizh Arin Muththamizh” and a film on “Elpiorukum Elomuthu Choy” about the great Tamil scholar and artist Kalaignar [Name], as well as a short documentary on “Semma Chozhi Day,” were screened.

Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Semma Chozhi Tamil Award
Under the leadership of Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M.K. Stalin, the four-year “Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Semma Chozhi Tamil Award” for 2025 was announced, along with a cash prize of ₹10 lakhs and a statue of Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Thiruvuruch Chellam [tribute].

Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi was born on 23.05.1944 in Pennthapudur village, Kanyakumari district. He completed his schooling at Suchindram School. He graduated with a B.A. in Government from Santhapiru Vidyanagar Hindu College, obtained his M.A. in Tamil from Patel College, and an M.Phil. in Tamil from Bharathidasan University. He earned a distinction for his thesis “Kuzhandha Iraiyan — Oru Kekonru.”

Prizes for Winners of the Semma Chozhi Day Competitions
Prizes in the Poetry Competition (Perun Shlivan):

• First Prize: Chellam Thindanukkal-B.Sc. 11th Grade student, P.H.M.H. Arshath, Rs. 15,000/-
• Second Prize: Viluppuram District, Seriyadatchur Government Boys Higher Secondary School 11th Grade student, R. Thamilarsi, Rs. 10,000/-
• Third Prize: Thiru Purri District, Government Girls Higher Secondary School 11th Grade student, A. Sathya, Rs. 7,000/-

Prizes in the Prose Competition (Thudhalar Paal):

• First Prize: Thindukkal District, G.D.N. Kalaik Kalloori student K. Vijayakanth, Rs. 15,000/-
• Second Prize: Sathankasi District, S.N. Girls Higher Secondary School student V. Lakshmi, Rs. 10,000/-
• Third Prize: Tiruchirapalli District, University Education College student A. Priyadarshini, Rs. 7,000/-

Prizes in the College-Level Competitions:

• First Prize: Kanyakumari District, Government College of Arts and Science student N.A.C. Nandhini, Rs. 15,000/-
• Second Prize: Thindukkal District, Perun Adi College of Education student T. Thangamuthu, Rs. 10,000/-
• Third Prize: Pudukkottai District, Kalaignar Karunanidhi Government College of Fine Arts student V. Velayavi, Rs. 7,000/-

Prizes in the College-Level Prose Competition:

• First Prize: Thindukkal District, G.T.N. College student K. Vijayakanth, Rs. 15,000/-
• Second Prize: Sathankasi District, Sadhalayaperise College of Education student E. Lakshmiyavathi, Rs. 10,000/-
• Third Prize: Tiruchirapalli District, University College of Education student A. Priyadharshini, Rs. 7,000/-

Books Released by the Semma Chozhi Tamil Research Foundation Under the Aegis of the Tamil Nadu Government’s Tamil Development Department:

• “Tamil Vilanayadigal – Veraittru Chozhiyal Aivu” by Thiru R. Padmanabhan Gngarapiruthan
• “Enga Iyakkiya Chol Elam” by Thiru H.R. Subramanian

Semma Chozhi Excellence Grants for Senior Tamil Scholars
For the year 2025–2026, under the Semma Chozhi Excellence Grants to promote Tamil scholarship, the Tamil Nadu Government will award assistance grants to:

• Eminent Tamil Scholars: ₹4,500 to ₹7,500
• Senior Tamil Scholars: ₹3,500 to ₹7,500
• Border Scholars: ₹5,500 to ₹7,500

Accordingly, the current year’s distribution includes: 217 Eminent Tamil Scholars, 621 Senior Tamil Scholars, and 60 Border Scholars—a total of 898 beneficiaries—with an annual grant release of ₹3,90,60,000/-.

At the ceremony, Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M.K. Stalin, along with distinguished guests including Thiru S. Venkatraman, Thiru R. Ponnusundaram, Thiru T. T. Suneeth Kumar (Ex-Adi Government), Thiru A. Idhayageetham, Thiru R. S. Subramani, Thiru T. N. Sundari—Senior Tamil Scholars receiving assistance grants, and other dignitaries—participated.

Following this, the Secretary of the Information and Public Relations Department, Thiru R. Mathinathan, IAS, and the Director of Tamil Development, Mulanar N. Arul, along with other government officials, released the two books prepared by the Semma Chozhi Tamil Research Foundation.

Released Books by the Semma Chozhi Tamil Research Foundation

• “Tamil Vilanayadigal – Veraittru Chozhiyal Aivu” by Thiru R. Padmanabhan Gngarapiruthan
• “Enga Iyakkiya Chol Elam” by Thiru H.R. Subramanian

Semma Chozhi Day Lecture
Under the leadership of Thiru Suki Sem, a lecture on “Semma Chozhi’s Uniqueness – ‘Adhan Sathonil Pay!’ ‘Adhan Ilal Pay!’” was delivered. Speakers included Ms. Isra, Mr. R. R. Lingam, Mr. Kavitha Jegam, and Professor Kevin Sultan, among others. Dignitaries present included Mr. P.N. Banerjee (Director of Urban Development), Mr. I. Seriyomi (Director of Rural Development), Mr. E.T. Velu (Director of Research and Feminine Affairs), Mr. M.R.P. Deniz Selvam (Director of Electricity – Farmers’ Welfare), Mr. P.R. Cheriyakaruppan (Director of Cooperatives), Mr. M.C. Thominathan (Director of Tamil Development and Information), Mr. T. Subramanian (Director of Health and Family Welfare), Mr. P.B.M. Kader Sakthin (President of Indian Union Muslim League, Tamil Nadu), and others.

The event was organized by the Information and Public Relations Department, Chennai-9.