“Semmozhi Day” Observed to Celebrate the Birth Anniversary of the Scholar-Artist Who Bestowed Tamil with Exalted Aesthetic Qualities

On the occasion of June 3rd, the birth anniversary of the great Tamil scholar-artist who endowed Tamil with the exalted aesthetic quality known as “Semmozhi,” a “Semmozhi Day Festival” was held. During this event, the 2025 “Artist Semmozhi Tamil Award” was conferred, and prizes were distributed to those who excelled in the contest held in connection with Semmozhi Day. Additionally, five senior Tamil scholars were honored with elevated annual stipends from the Assistance Fund, and two books—“Tamil Vilanayadikal: Literary-Aesthetic Study” and “Enga Iyakkiya Chol” (Our Creative Language)—produced under the auspices of the Semmozhi Tamil Revival Council, as part of the Tamil Nadu Government’s Four-Year Celebration Plan, were released by the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M. K. Stalin.

The Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M. K. Stalin, today (03.06.2025) presided over the “Semmozhi Day Festival,” held at the Kalaignar Auditorium in Chennai, celebrating the birth anniversary of the great Tamil scholar-artist.

At this festival, under the guidance of the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M. K. Stalin, were presented: the “Artist Semmozhi Tamil Award” for the year 2025; prizes for contestants in the Semmozhi Day competitions; recognition of five senior Tamil scholars with enhanced annual stipends from the Assistance Fund; the state government’s Four-Year Celebration Plan; and the presentation of the two books titled “Tamil Vilanayadikal: Literary-Aesthetic Study” and “Enga Iyakkiya Chol” (Our Creative Language), prepared under the auspices of the Semmozhi Tamil Revival Council. These books, exploring various aspects of the Tamil language—its distinctiveness, elegance, fine literary style, middle-range versatility, capacity for profound thought and art, and other aesthetic qualities—were released by the Honorable Chief Minister.

Following these presentations, the book launch ceremony continued with the staging of the “Muthamizh Aasiriyar’s Muthamizh” lecture performance and the documentary “Elaiyorukkum Elumai Kadhal” (Love of the Lute and the Cymbal) about the scholar-artist. Additionally, a brief film about “Semmozhi Day” was screened, prepared by the Department of Information and Public Relations.

Artist M. Karunanidhi Semmozhi Tamil Award

The Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M. K. Stalin, honored Sri M. Karunanidhi, son of the late Shri Muthuvel Natarajan, with the “Artist M. Karunanidhi Semmozhi Tamil Award” for the year 2025. A purse containing a cash prize of Rs. 10,000, a gold medallion weighing ten sovereigns, and a bronze statue of artist M. Karunanidhi were presented in recognition of his contributions.

M. Karunanidhi was born on 23.05.1944 in the village of Pattanapudur near Kanyakumari. He received his early education in Suseendram’s village school and later enrolled in the undergraduate program at Government Hindu College, Kovilpatti. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Tamil from Agastheeswaram College and a master’s degree in Tamil from Annamalai University. He studied drama under the guidance of “Kuzhandai Iakkiyam – Oruyum Sangoli” and was honored for his academic achievements.

Prizes for Semmozhi Day Competition Winners

The prizes awarded to the winners of the Semmozhi Day competitions for school students were as follows:

• Poetry Competition (Tamil)
  1. First Prize: Shri M. Mohanraj, 11th Grade, Dindigul Hindustan Devanagar Tamil School, Dindigul District – Rs. 15,000
  2. Second Prize: Ms. Tamilarasi, 11th Grade, Cuddalore Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Cuddalore District – Rs. 10,000
  3. Third Prize: Ms. Bhagyalakshmi, 11th Grade, Dindigul Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Dindigul District – Rs. 7,000
• Essay Competition (Tamil)
  1. First Prize: Shri C. Azhagumoorthy, 11th Grade, Bharathiyar Government Higher Secondary School, Karaikal – Rs. 15,000
  2. Second Prize: Shri R. Daraneesh, 11th Grade, Vellore Sai College, Vellore – Rs. 10,000
  3. Third Prize: Ms. B. Keerthi, 10th Grade, Thanjavur Government Boys’ Higher Secondary School, Thanjavur District – Rs. 7,000

Prizes for College Students

• Poetry Competition (Tamil)
  1. First Prize: Ms. N. S. Nandhini, Government Arts and Science College, Kanniyakumari District – Rs. 15,000
  2. Second Prize: Ms. T. Thangamuthu, Government College of Teacher Education, Theni District – Rs. 10,000
  3. Third Prize: Ms. V. Sevai Shakthi, Government Arts College (Autonomous), Pudukkottai – Rs. 7,000
• Essay Competition (Tamil)
  1. First Prize: Ms. K. Veiyakanth, G.T.N. Arts College, Dindigul District – Rs. 15,000
  2. Second Prize: Ms. I. J. Padmapriya, Scott Christian College, Nagercoil – Rs. 10,000
  3. Third Prize: Ms. A. Priyadarshini, University College of Education, Gandhigram – Rs. 7,000

All prize certificates and memorabilia were distributed alongside these awards.

Enhanced Annual Assistance for Senior Tamil Scholars

Under the “Assistance Fund,” as per the Tamil Nadu Government’s policy, the annual stipends for Tamil scholars have been increased for 2025–26 as follows:

• Assistance Fund for Tamil Scholars: From Rs. 4,500 to Rs. 7,500 per year
• Assistance Fund for Senior Tamil Scholars (Overseas): From Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 7,500 per year
• Assistance Fund for Borderline Areas: From Rs. 5,500 to Rs. 7,500 per year

Accordingly, in 2025–26 the Tamil Nadu Government has allocated a total budget of Rs. 3,90,60,000, benefitting 217 Tamil scholars, 621 senior Tamil scholars, and 60 scholars from borderline areas—a total of 898 beneficiaries.

The funds for the Assistance Fund for the five senior Tamil scholars—Thiru S. Sekar, Thiru R. P. Bhakthasundaram, Thiru T. S. Shanthini (Ex), Thiru A. Idhayageetham, and Thiru T. N. Sundari—were released by the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M. K. Stalin.

Subsequently, Thiru M. Krishnan, Director of Information and Public Relations, Tamil Nadu, released the two newly authored books, “Tamil Vilanayadikal: Literary-Aesthetic Study” by Dr. R. R. R. Subramanian and “Enga Iyakkiya Chol” (Our Creative Language) by Dr. I. R. Jayendran, under the auspices of the Semmozhi Tamil Revival Council.

Following this, under the auspices of the Department of Science, Industries, and Technology, a specialized lecture titled “Semmozhi’s Unique Qualities: Its Historical Impact!” “Its Modern Impact!” was presented by Shri Sugi Sem. Speakers at this session included Prof. Isar. Venmugai Pillai, Prof. C. R. Lingam, Shri Kavith Jeyakumar, and Professor Erwin Sultanasalini.

Among the distinguished guests present were:

• Thiru P. Panaru, Secretary of the Town and Country Development Department
• Thiru I. Cheriyomi, Secretary of the Rural Development Department
• Thiru E. R. Paul, Secretary of the Urban Housing and Development Department
• Thiru M. R. P. Ramasamy, Secretary of the Cooperatives Department
• Thiru P. A. S. Cherial, Secretary of the Minister for Tamil Development and Information
• Thiru M. C. Somnathan, Secretary of the Minister for Social Welfare and Women’s Development
• Thiru O. Subramanian, Secretary of the Minister for Health and Family Welfare
• Thiru P. M. Baqar Mahbub, Secretary of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department
• Thiru A. R. Priyaranjith, Secretary of the Chennai City Municipal Corporation
• Thiru Rajendran, Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited
• Thiru D. Bharamugam, Chairman, Tamil Nadu State Textbook and Educational Services Corporation, Dindigul
• Representatives of local bodies, local government officials, and senior government officials were also in attendance.

Release issued by:
Director, Department of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9.