A huge controversy of sorts is brewing over an award to film lyricist and novelist Vairamuthu. A Padmasri and a Padma Bhushan, Vairamuthu was awarded prestigious ONV award given in Kerala in memory of famed Jnanapeeth awardee ONV Kurup. But, some actresses and film personalities opposed the award to Vairamuthu saying he is accused of harassing woman and by giving the award, the memory of famed poet ONV Kurup was demeaned.
Actresses Parvathi Thiruvothu and Geethu Mohan Das and playback singer and voiceover artiste Chinmayi Sripada are among those who opposed the award to Vairamuttu. They said he is an accused in sexual harassment cases. They pointed out that by giving an award to a sexual harassment accused, the award has lost its prestige. As the controversy was gathering storm, Vairamuttu decided to return the award and the cash prize given. He donated the amount to the Kerala CM relief fund. In addition to the prize money of Rs 3 lakh, he had also donated another Rs 2 lakh to the CM relief fund.
He said some people were acting against him due to vendetta and said that he did not want any controversy to surround the award. Vairamuttu is known as a poet who subscribes to the Dravidian ideology. However, he has landed in controversy over his dealing with women in the film industry.
