After several celebrities and netizens had spoken out against the ONV Cultural Academy’s decision to bestow#MeToo-accused Vairamuthu with the prestigious ONV Kurup Award, the organisation had announced that they would re-examine the decision.
Now, the lyricist has announced that he is returning the award as he does not wish to be feted amidst controversies. In a video message, the lyricist stated, “ONV Cultural Academy had announced that they were honouring me with the ONV Award, one of the prestigious awards in Kerala. I, too, thanked them, and welcomed the decision. But I understand that they are going to reexamine giving me the award due to the grudges of certain people. I think that this might be belittling me and poet ONV Kurup. I worry that the intelligent jury should not be pushed to an uncomfortable situation. So, I wish to avoid receiving this award amidst controversies. But I’ll say one thing… I’m staying very, very, very truthful. No one needs to verify my truth. So, I have made a decision finally, and I’m announcing it with benevolence. I am returning the ONV Award to the ONV Cultural Academy. I kindly request they donate the cash prize of Rs 3 lakh awarded to me to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Moreover, to display my love towards Kerala and Malayalis, I’m personally donating Rs 2 lakh to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Let the brotherhood between Tamil and Malayalam flourish. I thank the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Tamils across the world and friends in the media for wholeheartedly wishing and honouring me after hearing about the award.”
Vairamuthu has been one of the major names accused in the wake of the #MeTooIndia movement in 2018. Seventeen women, including singer Chinmayi, have accused him of sexual harassment, which he has denied.
