Chennai: Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday announced annual literary awards in seven Indian languages, including Tamil, Bengali and Marathi, while criticising the Union Government for alleged political interference in the Sahitya Akademi awards.

The new accolade, instituted by the Tamil Nadu government, will carry a cash prize of ₹5 lakh and has been named the “Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu” (Classical Language Literary Award). In the first phase, awards will be presented for the best works in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Bengali and Marathi.

Speaking at the valedictory event of the Chennai International Book Fair (CIBF-2026), the Chief Minister expressed disappointment over the recent cancellation of the Sahitya Akademi awards announcement. “It was due to the intervention of the Union Culture Ministry,” he alleged.

“Political interventions, even in art and literary awards, is dangerous,” he added, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding national literary recognition.

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Stalin said that several writers and representatives of art and literary bodies had approached him with suggestions for a constructive response. “We also have a realisation that this is the need of the hour and I would like to make an announcement that will make you all happy,” he said.

He explained that the Tamil Nadu government would annually confer national-level awards for the best literary works in selected Indian languages. “In the first phase, the award in the name of ‘Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu’ will be given for the best works in the languages of Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Bengali and Marathi. The award for each language carries ₹5 lakh cash prize.”

The government will act as the patron of the awards while leaving the selection process to independent experts. “In order to ensure the quality of literary works and transparency, a committee (to select the awardees) will be set up for each language, comprising reputed writers,” Stalin said.

He also highlighted the government’s initiatives to promote knowledge and reading, saying the book fair was a significant step. “In this book fair, great importance had been placed on translations and copyright exchanges,” he said, citing the success of Kannada writer Banu Mushtaq, who won the International Booker Prize.

“Only because Mushtaq’s work was translated into English (Heart Lamp), it drew worldwide attention,” he added. He further praised the writer as “from our Dravidian language family, who belongs to a minority community, opposes regressive attitudes, and has the perspective of social justice.”

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During the fair, Stalin released 84 books, including 44 from the Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation and 40 from the Public Library.

Organised by the Tamil Nadu government, the CIBF aims to “take Tamil to the world, bringing the world to Tamil” through global literature and cultural exchanges. This year’s fourth edition, held from 16–18 January at Kalaivanar Arangam, carried the theme “A conversation between civilisations”.

According to the government, more than 100 countries participated, with over 1,800 MoUs signed covering 1,273 translation agreements from Tamil to other languages and 260 agreements bringing content into Tamil.

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Stalin also spoke about the future of the book fair. He said the next government, following the state Assembly elections in March–April, would be a “2.0” version of the Dravidian model. Once re-elected, the DMK-led regime plans to host the international book fair on an even larger scale.

Ministers including P.K. Sekar Babu (Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments), Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi (School Education), Chennai Mayor R. Priya and other elected representatives attended the event.