The Thamizh Thendral Thiru. Vi. Ka. Award was conferred on Dr. Prema Nandakumar, noted Aurobindo scholar, in recognition of her excellent contribution to Tamil literature and for her literary and creative works. This award was given to her and other Tamil scholars as part of Thiruvalluvar Day celebrations by Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa at a function organised at Lower Camp in Theni district recently. The award carries Rs 1 lakh, a gold medal and a certificate.
Dr. Prema, a native of Srirangam in Tiruchi, was born in 1939. She is a regular contributor to several journals, including The Hindu, and has authored many books, including her pioneer research on Sri Aurobindo, and translated works of poet Bharathi and novels of Akilan. Her first study on Sri Aurobindo’s epic poem Savithri encouraged many scholars to take up Savithri-related subjects for academic dissertations. She has been a member of several academic councils.
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Dr. Prema has addressed many international conferences on Tamil, Nationalism and Buddhism.
She has done extensive research in Indian philosophy, history, Indian culture. Her collection of short stories, ‘Amduha Thuli Piranthathu,’ has won a State Government award.
The Chief Minister also gave away the Thiruvalluvar Award to N. Murugan; Bharathiar Award to K. Ramamurthy; Pavendhar Bharathidasan Award to S.N. Kandasamy; K.A.P. Viswanatham Award to N. Rajagopalan alias Malaiyaman; Anna Award to K.R.P. Manimozhian and Kamarajar Award to former MP K. Singaravadivel,
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Five awards were given by the Department of Tamil Development and two awards by the Public Department. These awards, instituted by the State Government in the name of Tamil scholars are distributed on Thiruvalluvar Day, the day after Pongal, every year.