ONV award courts controversy, actors name Vairamuthu out

By Express News Service
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the choice to present the fifth ONV literary award to Tamil poet and lyricist Vairamuthu -—who has been accused of sexual harassment within the #MeToo marketing campaign — snowballing into an issue, filmmaker and ONV Cultural Academy president Adoor Gopalakrishnan mentioned the award is given primarily based on literary benefit and never by checking anybody’s character.  Vairamuthu has been accused of alleged sexual misconduct by 17 ladies.

“The recipient is selected by the jury based on literary merit. One can’t check the character while giving an award and the basis of the award is purely literary work,” Adoor mentioned. Despite folks within the socio-cultural milieu asking the jury to re-examine the choice, Adoor mentioned no re-evaluation of the choice shall be made.

“I think the jury wasn’t aware at the time about such accusations. Even then, why should we re-examine the decision when it is the work that matters. Vairamuthu is an outstanding writer. Anyone can accuse a person of anything but that’s just an allegation. These accusations haven’t been proven in a court of law. We can’t take any action based on allegations. And it is not morally right as well. Further, it is not practical to investigate into the character of a person and then decide on the award,” ONV Cultural Academy president mentioned.

The award is given in reminiscence of the late poet ONV Kurup. Announcing the award, the jury famous that Vairamuthu has proved his expertise as a poet, lyricist and novelist. Malayalam University vice-chancellor Anil Vallathol, author Alamcode Leelakrishnan and poet Prabha Varma have been members of the award jury. The award includes a money prize of Rs 3 lakh, quotation and a plaque. 

Prabha Varma mentioned he’s not purported to touch upon the problem. Celebrities similar to Parvathy Thiruvothu, Geethu Mohandas and Rima Kallingal have been among the many artists who aired their protests on social media and sought to re-examine the choice. Vairamuthu has been accused of harassment and sexual misconduct by a number of ladies, together with playback singer Chinmayi Sripaada. Chinmayi, in her private Instagram account, shared the criticism of the award resolution by Parvathy and Rima.  Geethu Mohandas famous on Instagram: “An award in the name of one of our greatest literary figure (sic) shouldn’t go to a man accused by 17 women of sexual harassment.”