Stalin Inaugurates Kalaignar Centenary Seminar at JNU

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin today (27.06.2025) participated in the grand function held at Chennai’s Kamal Haasan Auditorium to inaugurate the Centenary Seminar of Muthamizharignar Kalaignar, jointly organized by Sahitya Akademi and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) under the Special Tamil Studies Program.

The seminar was graced by the presence of:

• Minister Thiru M. Subramanian
• Minister Thiru Meyyanathan
• Chennai Mayor Thirumathi Priya
• MP Thiru Kanimozhi Karunanidhi
• MP Thiru Kalanidhi Veerasamy
• Vice-Chancellor of JNU, Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit
• Sahitya Akademi Secretary, Dr. K. Sreenivasarao
• State Poet Laureate Kalaimamani Vairamuthu
• Distinguished scholars, researchers, Tamil experts, senior government officials, students, and members of the media.

The Chief Minister extended warm greetings and said:

Chief Minister Stalin’s Address Highlights:

I am delighted to inaugurate this Centenary Seminar in honor of Muthamizharignar Kalaignar, jointly conducted by Sahitya Akademi and JNU’s Tamil Studies wing. I stand before you today not only as a political leader but also as an ardent admirer of Kalaignar and a student of Tamil literature.

Even after a century, you have organized this seminar with great significance—testament to Kalaignar’s timeless influence.

By covering themes like poetry, literature, classical studies, drama, cinema, politics, and governance, this seminar reflects Kalaignar’s multifaceted genius, which cannot be contained within a single discipline. I sincerely thank the professors and researchers who are shedding new light on his legacy.

Kalaignar’s contributions are the embodiment of Tamil literary excellence, and his speeches in the legislature are models of parliamentary decorum. His debates reflected both depth and grace.

Over an 80-year public life, Kalaignar championed the Tamil language and culture. His struggles and victories were rooted in social justice and aimed at uplifting every individual. He used his pen as a weapon to fight injustice and backwardness, famously saying, “It’s acceptable to be born poor, but not to remain poor.”

It is this commitment that enabled him to serve as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu five times and dedicate his life to the Tamil cause. In every field—from literature to cinema to social reform—Kalaignar stood as a beacon for Tamil pride.

Support for Tamil Literature and Writers:

Believing that literature reflects society’s soul, Kalaignar once said, “Even if someone can live without speaking, no one can live without writing.” Sahitya Akademi’s literary initiatives are commendable in this regard.

The Akademi has also decided to provide houses to senior writers who have received the Sahitya Akademi award. On Kalaignar’s birth anniversary, the “Kalvi Illam” (Home for Writers) project was launched. So far, 15 senior Tamil scholars have been given homes worth around ₹1 crore each—at no cost to them, with the Tamil Nadu government bearing all expenses.

As an extension of this, 10 social activists who have received the Sahitya Akademi’s Social Service Award have also been given homes. This initiative is unprecedented in India and reflects Tamil Nadu’s unique commitment to intellectuals and culture.

Kalaignar’s Literary Legacy:

As Chief Minister, Kalaignar nationalized the works of 108 Tamil scholars, providing their heirs with ₹7.76 crore in royalties. Following in his footsteps, I have nationalized the works of 36 Tamil scholars, offering ₹4.25 crore in royalties during the last four years.

Beyond this, Kalaignar’s own vast body of work—including 75 screenplays, 15 novels, 20 plays, 15 short stories, 210 poems, and 178 books—has been nationalized without any royalty claims.

His legacy includes over 7 lakh pages of original writings. To complete this in a lifetime would be near impossible. Professor George Hart of the University of California said, “To reproduce Kalaignar’s works would require more than a lifetime.”

Kalaignar’s Vision for Tamil & Global Recognition:

Kalaignar’s rule was Tamil-centric governance, rooted in Dravidian ideals, social upliftment, and progressive welfare schemes—making Tamil Nadu a model for the nation.

It was his dream that JNU would establish a separate Tamil department. After 15 years, we have fulfilled this by founding a “Tamil Literary Studies” department with ₹5.3 crore support.

Thanks to scholar Dr. Thiruvalluvar Simala and efforts of Kamalalayam, this has now become a reality, with global recognition for Tamil at institutions like JNU.

Final Remarks:

It is my hope that this seminar will not only glorify Kalaignar’s legacy but also inspire the creation of new visionary works. The Government of Tamil Nadu will continue to stand by writers and thinkers, ensuring their timely recognition and support.

I urge organizations like Sahitya Akademi to continue such initiatives with sustained enthusiasm.

Thank you. Vanakkam.

Issued by:
Director, Department of Information and Public Relations
Chennai – 9