Seventy four artistes, including popular faces of Tamil film industry, are recipients of the coveted Kalaimamani awards announced by the Tamil Nadu government on Friday night.

Arya, Anushka, Tamannah, Rajiv Menon, Karunaas, Saranya, Rohini and Chinni Jayanth would be presented the awards, according to an official press release. Music composer Bharadwaj and television-film director Thirumurugan have also been selected for the honour.

A host of television actors, musicians, vocalists and orators among other artistes will also be presented with the Kalaimamani awards by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi at a function in Chennai on February 13, the release said.

The awards presented by the State-backed Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nadaga Mandram recognise excellence in the field of art and literature. Many artistes had received Kalaimamani, which is considered as one of the greatest honours in these parts, in the past.