Tamil Nadu Government Announces Prestigious State Awards for 2025
The Tamil Nadu government has officially announced the recipients of its esteemed state awards for the year 2025. The list features prominent political figures, writers, and scholars who have made significant contributions to society and culture.
Top Honors for Political Veterans
Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan has been selected for the prestigious Perarignar Anna Award. The government statement praised him as a veteran of the Dravidian movement. He has served as an MLA ten times and actively participated in the historic 1965 agitation against Hindi imposition.
VCK floor leader Sinthanai Selvan will receive the Annal Ambedkar Award. The selection committee chose him for his consistent and powerful articulation of constitutional values, social justice, and Dalit rights. He has championed these causes both in public forums and within the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
Award Ceremony Details
Chief Minister M K Stalin will personally present all the awards on Tiruvalluvar Day, which falls on January 16. Each awardee will receive a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, a commemorative gold medal, and an official citation.
Recipients of Other Distinguished Awards
The government also named honorees for several other important state awards:
- Periyar Award: Advocate A Arulmozhi of the Dravidar Kazhagam. She was recognized for her sustained public engagement with self-respect ideology, rationalist thought, women's rights, and social equality.
- Kamarajar Award: Writer S M Hidayathullah, who also serves as the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee vice president.
- Mahakavi Bharathiar Award: Poet Nellai Jeyanthaa.
- Pavendhar Bharathidasan Award: Lyricist Yugabharathi.
- Muthamizh Arignar Kalaignar Award: Writer and political ideologue Viduthalai Virumbi.
Special Recognition for 2026
In a forward-looking announcement, the government revealed that the Thiruvalluvar Award for 2026 will be conferred upon Saiva Siddhanta scholar M P Sathiyavel Murugan. The selection honors his extensive work on Thirukkural ethics, Tamil religious traditions, and his interpretative scholarship.
Additional Awardees
The list of honorees is completed with two more distinguished individuals:
- Former chief secretary V Iraiyanbu will receive the Thamizh Thenral Thiru Vi Ka Award.
- Educationist and historian S Sellappa has been chosen for the Ki Aa Pe Viswanatham Award.
These awards collectively celebrate excellence in public service, literature, social activism, and academic scholarship across Tamil Nadu.
