Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said the Kalaimamani title carries greater prestige than gold, stressing that while gold’s price changes daily, the honor given to artists lasts forever.

Speaking at the Kalaimamani Awards ceremony at Chennai’s Kalaivanar Arangam, Stalin presented the awards for 2021, 2022, and 2023 to achievers in art, music, dance, drama, and literature.

He announced that the state government will provide ₹1 lakh financial aid to struggling artists and a monthly pension of ₹3,000 for senior artistes.

Among this year’s awardees were actor-director SJ Suryah, actress Sai Pallavi, and composer Anirudh Ravichander.