What puts Tamil Nadu in the Padma Awards spotlight this year?

Tamil Nadu’s long tradition of public service, scholarship and cultural stewardship was recognised at the national level this year, with several eminent personalities from the state featuring prominently in the Padma Awards list.

The honours span a wide range of fields, including medicine, social work, science, arts, literature and public administration, highlighting decades of contribution to nation-building and community welfare.

Padma Bhushan

Kalipatti Ramasamy Palanisamy – pioneering contributions to healthcare, especially in rural and underserved areas.

S.K.M. Maeilanandhan – social worker renowned for education, social welfare and community development initiatives.

Padma Shri

Arts: Gayatri Balasubramanian, Ranjani Balasubramanian – for preserving and reinterpreting traditional Indian art forms.

Medical Science: H.V. Hande – long-standing service in healthcare; Punniamurthy Natesan – contributions in medical and veterinary research.

Science & Engineering: K. Ramasamy, Veezhinathan Kamakoti (Director, IIT Madras) – for advancing scientific knowledge and technical education.

Public Service: K. Vijayakumar – IPS officer noted for people-centric policing and key operations, including against forest brigand Veerappan.

Traditional & Performing Arts: Othuvaar Thiruthani Swaminathan, Rajastapathi Kaliappa Goundar, Thiruvarur Bhakthavathsalam – for safeguarding classical and folk traditions.

Literature & Education: Sivasankari – veteran Tamil writer; K. Pajanivel – Chilambam martial arts and social service in Puducherry.

Posthumous: R. Krishnan – enduring artistic legacy.

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In detail

Kalipatti Ramasamy Palanisamy, a distinguished medical professional, was conferred the Padma Bhushan for his pioneering work in healthcare. Known for his service-oriented approach, his contributions have had a transformative impact on community health, particularly in rural and underserved areas of the state.

Another Padma Bhushan awardee is S.K.M. Maeilanandhan, a noted social worker whose sustained efforts in education, social welfare and community development have benefited thousands across Tamil Nadu.

The Padma Shri list features strong representation from the arts, medicine and science. In the arts, Gayatri Balasubramanian and Ranjani Balasubramanian were honoured for their creative contributions that have helped preserve and reinterpret traditional Indian art forms.

In the field of medical science, H.V. Hande was recognised for his long-standing service in healthcare, while Punniamurthy Natesan received the award for his dedicated work in medical and veterinary research.

Scientific and engineering excellence was acknowledged with Padma Shri honours for K. Ramasamy and Veezhinathan Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, for their contributions to scientific advancement and technical education.

Public service was recognised through K. Vijayakumar, a senior IPS officer noted for people-centric policing and his role in key investigations, including operations against forest brigand Veerappan.

Traditional and performing arts also received due recognition, with Padma Shri awards conferred on Othuvaar Thiruthani Swaminathan, Rajastapathi Kaliappa Goundar and Thiruvarur Bhakthavathsalam for their efforts in safeguarding and popularising classical and folk traditions.

In literature and education, veteran writer Sivasankari was honoured for her influential contributions to Tamil literature, while K. Pajanivel received the Padma Shri for his work in Chilambam martial arts and social service in Puducherry. Posthumous recognition was accorded to R. Krishnan for his enduring artistic legacy.

Collectively, the Padma awardees from Tamil Nadu reflect excellence across disciplines and reaffirm the state’s continuing contribution to India’s cultural, intellectual and public life.

— IANS