Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has announced that the prestigious Karunanidhi Art and Culture Awards will be presented to playback singer P. Susheela and poet Mu. Metha. The Tamil Nadu government issued a statement detailing the awards, which honor lifetime achievers in the Tamil film industry.According to the statement, “The Karunanidhi Art and Culture Award is presented annually on June 3 by the Tamil Nadu government to recognize and celebrate the lifetime achievements of distinguished personalities in the Tamil film industry.”
For the year 2023, the award will be bestowed upon playback singer P. Susheela and poet Mu. Metha. P. Susheela, renowned for her musical journey spanning over 70 years, has sung over 25,000 songs in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada, earning her a legendary status in South Indian cinema.
Poet Mu. Metha, known for his contributions to traditional and modern poetry, has also penned numerous short stories, novels, and essays. He has written songs for over 70 films and left an indelible mark on Tamil cinema. Metha has also served as a professor at a state college, enriching the academic and literary fields with his work.
The award includes a cash prize of ₹10 lakhs and a commemorative gift. The recipients were selected by a committee chaired by director Muthuraman, along with Nadigar Sangam president Nasser and director Karu. Palaniappan. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on the 30th of this month at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat.
This recognition aims to honor the contributions of P. Susheela and Mu. Metha, celebrating their significant impact on Tamil art, music, and literature.