Thirukkural Champions to Receive ₹15,000 Awards — Minister Thamo Anbarasan to Honour 122 Students

Chennai, Aug 25 : In a grand celebration of Tamil literary excellence, 122 students who have memorized all 1,330 couplets of the Thirukkural will be honoured with cash awards of ₹15,000 each and certificates of appreciation. The awards will be presented by Tamil Development and Information Minister Mr. M.P. Thamo Anbarasan during the “Thirukkural Iyakkiya Naadagam” cultural event on August 4, 2025.

The initiative, launched in 2000 under the guidance of the revered Tamil scholar Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, aims to instill a deep appreciation for the Thirukkural among school students. Originally, a “Kural Prize Scheme” was instituted to award ₹10,000 each to 70 students who successfully memorized all couplets annually. However, recognizing the growing enthusiasm, Chief Minister Mr. M.K. Stalin, in 2022, expanded the scheme by removing the limit on the number of awardees and increased the cash prize from ₹10,000 to ₹15,000.

For the academic year 2024-25, a total of 122 students from various districts of Tamil Nadu will receive the award. The initiative aims not only to encourage students but also to create widespread awareness among the general public about the moral and philosophical significance of Thirukkural, a literary treasure of Tamil heritage.

The award ceremony will feature cultural performances including “Enga Tamil” dance-drama by Saro Rajkumar’s troupe, a Thirukkural musical adaptation by Bhaskar’s group, Villupattu folk performances by Bharathi Thirumagan’s team, and rural folk arts by Karunkuyil Karanesh’s ensemble. These artistic renditions are designed to celebrate the timeless relevance of Thirukkural and its teachings on ethics, governance, and human values.

The event will take place on Monday, August 4, 2025, at 9:00 AM at the T.N. Rajarathinam Auditorium, Chennai. Minister Thamo Anbarasan will formally inaugurate the digital application portal for students wishing to participate in the Thirukkural recitation programme.

Senior officials, including Tamil Development and Information Department Secretary Mr. D. Rajaraman IAS, Director of Tamil Development Mr. Avvai Arul, and Director of Tamil Information Services Ms. K.B. Sethiyapriya, will also deliver felicitation addresses.

This celebration stands as a testament to Tamil Nadu’s unwavering commitment to preserving its classical heritage and instilling in the younger generation an unshakable bond with Thirukkural and Tamil language.