Tamil writer and lyricist Vairamuthu has been awarded the 2025 Jnanpith Award for his contribution to literature. While leaders including Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin congratulated him, critics and singer Chinmayi Sripaada questioned the honour, citing past MeToo allegations against the poet.

Jnanpith, the prestigious literary award for 2025, has been awarded to Tamil writer and lyricist Vairamuthu (72), who is known as much for his literary brilliance as for the controversies that chased him throughout his literary career. He is the third Tamilian in 20 years to win this award, which is not government-sponsored. He started his journey in 1972 with the poetry collection ``Vaigarai Megangal", and since then, he has written over 40 books.

Apart from his writings, he has excelled at writing lyrics for as many as 7,500 Tamil film songs, earning him iconic status in the industry. He holds the record for winning the National Film Award seven times apart from bagging the Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel ``Kallikkattu Ithikasam". The government honoured him with both Padmashri and Padmabhushan awards for his outstanding contribution to Tamil literature.

While Chief Minister M K Stalin and literary personalities greeted him, a section was critical of it as Vairamuthu was a prominent figure to face allegations of inappropriate behaviour during the MeToo movement.

Noted playback singer Chinmayi Sripaada, who was at the forefront of MeToo allegations, expressed disappointment.