Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, has created out of his personal funds an endowment in his name for Classical Tamil Research in the Central Institute of Classical Tamil. From the endowment, an Award will be given to scholars and researchers of eminence every year.

The award is one of the highest honours conferred in India.

The award carries a cheque for Rs. 10,00,000, a citation plaque and a bronze replica of the donor Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi.

The Award is scheduled to be presented to the candidate every year on the occasion of the birthday of the donor, i.e., 3 June.

The award is given for the best contribution to classical Tamil studies by a researcher or a research institution in the following areas leading to the creation of new knowledge in Ancient Tamil Culture and Civilization and gaining international recognition:

• Archaeology
• Epigraphy
• Numismatics
• Ancient Grammar and Linguistic Study
• Literary Criticism
• Creative Writing
• Translation
• Music, Dance, Drama, Painting and Sculpture

The award is given for a single work of great erudition or for a lifetime contribution depending on its uniqueness, excellence and international recognition.

The awardee may be an eminent scholar of any nationality and the work may be in any language provided that it attracts global attention.

Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Classical Tamil Award for the year 2009

The Selection Committee for the Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Classical Tamil Award-2009 met at 4.00 p.m. on 3rd April 2010 in the Conference Hall of the Institute under the Chairmanship of Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and Chairman of the Institute. The meeting was attended by the following members Prof. V.C. Kulandai Swamy, Mr. Justice S. Mohan, Prof. Jaroslav Vacek, Dr. Iravatham Mahadevan: Kavikko Abdul Rahman. There were in all 131 nominations received from eminent scholars from different countries including Australia, Finland, India, Sri Lanka, U.K. and U.S.A. After a careful scrutiny of all the nominations, it was unanimously decided that the Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Classical Tamil Award-2009 be awarded to Prof. ASKO PARPOLA a renowned scholar from FINLAND, whose contribution to advocating a Dravidian Solution to the Indus Script Problem is outstanding and internationally acknowledged.