Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Tamil Nadu government has announced its decision to recognise outstanding literary works published in various Indian languages. In the first phase, authors writing in seven languages—including Odia—will be honoured. Along with the southern languages of Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, Bengali and Marathi have also been selected.
Announcing the launch of the annual Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu (Classical Language Literary Award), Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin said the initiative was introduced in response to the last-minute cancellation of the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025.
“Literature knows no boundaries; it serves as a bridge that connects us,” Stalin said while addressing the valedictory ceremony of the Chennai International Book Fair. He alleged that due to political interference and short-sighted decisions by the Union government, the Sahitya Akademi Awards were not announced this year. “As an appropriate response, the Tamil Nadu government will confer national-level literary awards,” he added.
Criticising the Union Culture Ministry’s decision last month, Stalin described political interference in art and literature as “dangerous.” He noted that writers and representatives of literary organisations had urged the state government to take a constructive stand following the award cancellation, which the government felt was necessary at this juncture.
