Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday presented the Kalaignar Memorial Kalaithurai Vithagar Award to veteran actress M.N. Rajam and senior film director S.P. Muthuraman in recognition of their distinguished contribution to Tamil cinema.
M.N. Rajam, one of the veteran artistes of the Tamil film industry, began her career in theatre at a young age and made her film debut as a child artiste in 1949. She later rose to prominence as a leading heroine in the 1950s and 1960s, acting in several acclaimed films including Raththa Kanneer, Nadodi Mannan, Pasamalar, Thaaikku Thalaimagan and Mangaiyar Thilakam. Having appeared in over 200 Tamil films, she has left a lasting imprint on the industry.
She received the Kalaignar Memorial Kalaithurai Vithagar Award for 2024.
S.P. Muthuraman, regarded as one of the pioneering directors of Tamil cinema, began his career as an assistant director in the 1960 film Kalathur Kannamma. He later emerged as one of the most successful filmmakers between the 1970s and 1990s, directing more than 70 Tamil films and delivering numerous commercial successes.
He was presented the Kalaignar Memorial Kalaithurai Vithagar Award for 2025.
Both awardees received a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh each along with a citation and memento.
Information Minister M.P. Saminathan, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, Tamil Development and Information Secretary V. Rajaraman, Director of Information and Public Relations M. Irai Vaithiyanathan, Dravidar Iyakka Tamil Peravai president Suba. Veerapandian and family members of the awardees were present at the ceremony.
