Tamil Nadu: Vairamuthu says he is ‘returning’ ONV award

CHENNAI: Popular Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu on Saturday announced that he is returning the prestigious ONV Literary Award conferred upon him by Kerala-based ONV Cultural Academy for this year.
The development comes amid criticism, since the announcement about the award was made, against the rationale behind honouring Vairamuthu, against whom allegations over sexual harassment were made in the past.
In a video statement, Vairamuthu attributed the criticism to some malicious people. "I am anguished, pondering if this situation would belittle poet O N V Kurup [in whose name the award was instituted] and me," he added. Noting that the intellectual members of the jury should not be left in such a delicate situation, he said, "So, I have decided to avoid accepting this award amidst these concerns." He requested 3lakh award money be added to the Kerala CM's disaster relief fund.