Tamil Nadu: Backlash After Controversial Lyricist Vairamuthu Conferred With Award Named After Kamban; Makes Disparaging Remarks On Lord Ram During Ceremony

Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu, who recently received the Kavi Chakravarthy Kamban Award from DMK MP Jagathrakshakan's Azhwar Research Centre, has triggered a major controversy with his remarks about Lord Ram.

During his speech for the ceremony, Vairamuthu claimed that Tamil poet Kamban "saved Rama" by portraying him as having lost mental clarity after being separated from Sita, comparing this to IPC Section 84 which states that a person of unsound mind cannot be held criminally liable.

Vairamuthu was referring to the episode of Shri Ram killing Vali.

The award announcement itself has been contentious, as many Tamil enthusiasts are expressing outrage, stating that this tarnishes the name of Kamban, with many questioning whether the Kamban Award should be given to someone who has previously made controversial remarks even about Andal.

Vairamuthu has also faced multiple sexual harassment allegations during the #MeToo movement and previously returned another literary award amid similar controversies.