60th Jnanpith Award, Winner Name, About, R. Vairamuthu

Renowned Tamil poet and lyricist R. Vairamuthu has been awarded the 60th Jnanpith Award (2025), India’s highest literary honour. With this recognition, he becomes only the third Tamil writer to receive the award and the first to be honoured primarily for Tamil poetry. The other two Tamil writers who received the Jnanpith Award are Akilan, awarded in 1975 and D. Jayakanthan, awarded in 2002.

About R. Vairamuthu

R. Vairamuthu is a leading figure in contemporary Tamil literature. He is known as a poet, lyricist, and writer, with contributions across poetry, novels, and film songs. His writings are known for emotional depth, social concerns, and a strong connection with nature and rural life

• He was born on 13 July 1953 in Tamil Nadu.
• He has authored over 37 books, including Kallikattu Ithikasam, Karuvachi Kaaviyam, and Thanni Desam.
• He has written more than 8,000 songs in Tamil cinema, influencing popular culture.
• He has received the National Film Award for Best Lyrics seven times for his excellence as a lyricist
• He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2003 for Kallikattu Ithikasam.
• He was honoured with the Padma Shri (2003) and Padma Bhushan (2014) by the Government of India.
• He is regarded as a writer who bridges classical Tamil literary traditions with modern expression.

About Jnanpith Award

The Jnanpith Award is India’s highest literary honour, instituted to recognise exceptional contributions to literature across the country’s diverse languages.

• Jnanpith Award was instituted in 1961 by the Bharatiya Jnanpith, a cultural and literary organisation
• It is regarded as India’s highest literary award, recognising outstanding contributions to literature
• It is awarded annually to an Indian author for their lifetime contribution to literature
• Initially, it was given for a single literary work, but since 1982 it is awarded for overall contribution. 
• It covers all 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, along with English
• The first award was given in 1965 to Malayalam poet G. Sankara Kurup
• The award includes a cash prize of ₹11 lakh, a citation, and a bronze statuette of Vagdevi (Saraswati)
• The recipient is usually honoured by the President of India
• The selection is made by a committee of eminent scholars and writers based on literary merit and impact.

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