On May 9, 2017, the President of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee presented the ‘Presidential Awards for Classical Tamil’ for the years 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi.
About Presidential Awards for Classical Tamil:
The Presidential Awards for Classical Tamil were instituted by Central Institute of Classical Tamil functioning under the aegis of Ministry of Human Resource Development.
- These awards are presented to distinguished scholars who have made outstanding contribution to Classical Tamil language and literature.
- Published works of academic excellence in different fields relating to the Classical phase of Tamil (upto 600 A.D.) Grammar, literature, translation, fine arts, architecture, archaeology, epigraphy, numismatics, manuscripts, culture etc. are considered for the awards.
Presidential Awards for Classical Tamil comprises:
- Tholakpiyyar Award: It is a life time achievement award for Indian scholar given for an outstanding contribution in the field of Tamil studies. This award carries a certificate of honour, a memento and a one-time cash award of Rs. 5 Lakh.
- Kural Peedam Award: These are two international awards; one for persons of Indian origin and another for a person of non-Indian origin who have been identified as eminent scholars of Classical Tamil. This award carries a certificate of honour, a memento and a one-time cash award
of Rs. 5 lakh. - Young Scholar Award: Five awards are given to young scholars in the age group of 30- 40, who have publications to their credit and have shown interest in Tamil studies. This award carries a certificate of honour, a memento and a one-time cash award of Rs. 1 lakh.
of Rs. 5 lakh.Winners of Presidential Awards for classical Tamil for 2013-14
| Award | Awardees |
| Tholakpiyyar Award | Dr. S.N.Kandaswamy |
|
Young Scholar Award | Dr. Ula Balasubramaniyan |
| Dr. Kalai Chezhian | |
| Dr. S. Rajalakshmi | |
| Dr. T. Mahalakshmi | |
| Dr. S. P. Salavanisree |
Winners of Presidential Awards for classical Tamil for 2014-15
| Award | Awardees |
| Tholakpiyyar Award | Dr. A. Dakshinamurthy |
|
Young Scholar Award | Dr. A. Sathish |
| Dr. J. Muthuselvan | |
| Dr. P. Thirugnanasammandam | |
| Dr. M. Vasanthakumari | |
| Dr. G. Sathish |
Winners of Presidential Awards for classical Tamil for 2015-16
| Award | Awardees |
| Tholakpiyyar Award | Dr. R.Kalaikkovan |
|
Young Scholar Award | Dr. M. Vanitha |
| Dr. V. Prakash | |
| Dr. S. Premkumar | |
| Dr. G. Balaji | |
| Dr. M. Munees Moorthy |
There are no Kural Peedam Awardees in the above mentioned years.