For the first time, a non-Keralite celebrity has been chosen for the fifth ONV literary award instituted by the ONV Cultural Academy. Tamil poet and lyricist Vairamuthu has been chosen for the prestigious award instituted in memory of poet ONV Kurup, who passed away in 2016.

The jury comprising of Malayalam University Vice-Chancellor Anil Vallathol and poets Alankode Leelakrishnan and Prabha Varma chose Vairamuthu, who has proved his mettle as a poet, lyricist and as a novelist. In a career spanning more than four decades, has written thousands of songs and poems. However, many celebs and the public are irked by the jury's decision to honour a mee too accused. Several netizens and celebs took to their social media handle to express their displeasure over the same.

Expressing solidarity with Chinmayi, actress and director Geetu Mohandas wrote, An award in the name of one of our greatest literary figure shouldn’t go to a man accused by 17 women of sexual harassment. In solidarity with you @chinmayisripaada. As you know, singer and dubbing artist Chinmayi Sripaada was one among the 17 women who openly named Vairamuthu during the #MeToo movement in 2018.

Meanwhile, actress Parvathy wrote, 17 women have come out with their stories. We don’t know how many more have been wronged. There seems to be enough whataboutery to continue wronging those who are wronged. Only to uphold the reputation of those in power. Nothing is more important than humanity. If you come at me with the art vs artist debate, let me tell you that for me the humanity of the person creating the art is the only thing I’d choose to look at. I can live without the “art” of those who hollow out lives with absolute impunity. How do you justify this? #adoorgopalakrishnan and the jury who decided to the accused Vairamuthu this honour.

Several other celebs too expressed their protest against the jury's decision.

ONV Sir's name resounds with deep sensitivity, dignity and respect for any Malayalee. Therefore very disturbed to know that ONV Academy has chosen an alleged perpetrator (called out by 17 women) for the #ONVAward. Are these the values they celebrate? https://t.co/Y87dOIcGfj

— Anjali Menon (@AnjaliMenonFilm) May 27, 2021

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Mr. Vairamuthu gets the fifth ONV literary award instituted by the ONV Cultural Academy.

Wow.

Late Mr ONV Kurup would be proud.

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) May 26, 2021

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