Kalaimamani

カライママニ

The highest state civilian award presented by the Tamil Nadu state government to individuals who have made outstanding achievements in the fields of arts and culture.

LiteratureMusicTheaterDanceFilmVisual artsFolk performing artsDramaMusical DramaFolk artsTelevision

Established: 1954
Organizer: Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram, Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Tamil Nadu
Category: Plays, Scripts, and Screenplays
Selection Method: Selection
Target: Professional
Frequency: 1 per year
Status: Active

Description

Kalaimamani was established in 1954 and is presented by the Tamil Nadu Iyal/Eyal Isai Nataka Manram (organization overseeing literature, music, and theater) as the state's highest civilian award to honor artists who have made contributions across a wide range of fields, including literature, music, dance, theater, film, and folk performing arts. Winners are selected through review by a screening committee and announced by the state government. The timing of announcements and presentations varies by fiscal year, and some years feature collective announcements.

Prize

Main Prize: Honorary commendation (certificate, medal, etc.)

Certificate
Medal
Honorary title

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Candidate selection/nomination	Recommendations from local cultural groups and related organizations (details are often not publicly disclosed)	—	Candidate lists may not be publicly disclosed
Committee review	Selection committee of Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Manram (composed of experts and specialists)	—	Candidates selected by the committee are recommended to the state government
Approval by the state government and official announcement	Final approval by the state government (cultural department)	—	Announced at the government's official announcement and award ceremony

Candidate selection/nomination

Judges Recommendations from local cultural groups and related organizations (details are often not publicly disclosed)

Announcement Candidate lists may not be publicly disclosed

Committee review

Judges Selection committee of Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Manram (composed of experts and specialists)

Announcement Candidates selected by the committee are recommended to the state government

Approval by the state government and official announcement

Judges Final approval by the state government (cultural department)

Announcement Announced at the government's official announcement and award ceremony

Criteria

Artistic and professional excellence (quality of works)
Long-term activities and continuous contributions to culture
Contributions to the dissemination and inheritance of local culture
Creativity and technical mastery

Application Tips

Dos

長期にわたる芸術活動と主要な業績を整理し記録を保管する
地域文化や伝統の保存・普及に寄与する活動を継続する
公演・出版・受賞歴・メディア掲載など第三者資料を整備する
専門家や団体からの推薦・支持を得る

Don''ts

虚偽や検証不能な主張を行う
単発の自己宣伝のみで功績としようとする
公的記録や証拠を提示できないまま主張する

From Judges

審査では継続的な貢献と作品の質が重視される
地域文化の普及・継承への寄与は高く評価される
音源・映像・レビューなど第三者による証拠資料を揃えておくと良い

Related Awards

Padma Shri
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
State-level arts awards

Official Resources

http://www.tn.gov.in/tneinm/

Past Winners

Edition 1 (2020)

Sivakarthikeyan Winner

Aishwarya Rajesh Winner

Jangiri Madhumitha Winner

Gautham Vasudev Menon Winner

S. Ballesh Bhajantri Winner

Krishna Ballesh Bhajantri Winner

Ishari K. Ganesh Winner

D. Imman Winner

Kahalmadhi Winner

Ranjani Gayatri Winner

Sabarigirisan Winner

Sabitha Joseph Winner

Tiruchi K. Kalyanaraman Winner

Thamarai S. Senthurpandi Winner

M. S. Perumaal Winner

Panapakkam K. Sukumar Winner

Arasu P. Parameswaran Winner

Rathnakumari K. Kalyanasundaram Winner

Ranjani–Gayatri Winner

S. V. Usha Winner

S. Karthik Winner

V. John Mohan Winner

Thanjavur Murugaboopathi Winner

Sairam Sundaram Winner

T. R. Sundaresan Winner

Vaduvur S. N. R. Krishnamoorthy Winner

Thiruppanandal S. Marimuthu Winner

Manuel San Martin Winner

P. Shanmugasundara Desikar Winner

A. G. Govindarasu Winner

Nirmala Rajasekar Winner

Jayalakshmi Sekhar Winner

Mangalam Natarajan Winner

J. Pazhani Winner

Poovai Mani Winner

A. Janarthanan Winner

Kavitha Charles Winner

Sreelatha Vinod Winner

S. Vijayalakshmi Bhoopathi Winner

Aparna Ramesh Winner

T. Kanniyappan Winner

V. Muthu Perumal Winner

Edition 1 (2019)

Yogi Babu Winner

Devadarshini Sukumaran Winner

Nandhakumar Winner

Shanthi Williams Winner

Liaquat Ali Khan Winner

Kalaipuli S. Thanu Winner

Dhina Winner

Ragunaatha Reddy Winner

Anthony Winner

K. Shivashankar Winner

Thalapathy Dinesh Winner

Kamakodiyan Winner

Sujatha Mohan Winner

Ananthu Winner

Anil Srinivasan Winner

P. Susheela Winner

K. Krishnakumar Winner

Binni Krishnakumar Winner

Madurai R. Muralidaran Winner

Lenin Rajendran Winner

Shanmugam Winner

Singaaravelu Winner

Edition 1 (2018)

Srikanth Winner

S. Varadarajan Winner

Dr. S. Amudhakumar Winner

Isaikkavi Ramanan Winner

Dr. K. Ganesan Winner

Nirmala Periyaswami Winner

Manavai Ponmanickam Winner

Professor A. M. James Winner

S. J. Jananiy Winner

Lakshmi Mohan Winner

Vidya Subramanian Winner

Shanmukapriya Winner

Haripriya Winner

Rajakumar Bharathi Winner

S. Manibharathi Winner

M. Raghavan Winner

Thiruppanandhal S. Balasubramaniam Winner

S. A. Karupayya Winner

K. Satyanarayanan Winner

Thanjai V. Rajan Winner

Padmalakshmi Suresh Winner

Nandini Ramani Winner

Lavanya Shankar Winner

Niveditha Parthasarathy Winner

Binesh Mahadevan Winner

Dr. Latha Rajendran Winner

P. Muralidharan Winner

A. M. Rathnam Winner

Ravi Varman Winner

Unnimenon Winner

A. Muthulakshmanrao Winner

P. Muthuchandran Winner

K. Kumaravel Winner

Edition 1 (2017)

Priyamani Winner

G. Sivan Srinivasan Winner

K. Nallasivam Winner

K. R. Singamuthu Winner

R. S. Jayalatha Winner

S. Sowmya Winner

Dr. Prema Rangarajan Winner

R. Suryaprakash Winner

Dr. T. Lokanatha Sharma Winner

Sriram Parasuram Winner

H. Sivaramakrishnan Winner

A. N. Bhagyalakshmi Winner

T. K. Ranganatha Pattacharyar Winner

Roja Kannan Winner

Priya Murali Winner

Hari Winner

Yuvan Shankar Raja Winner

Kalaignanam Winner

Seshadri Nathan Sukumaran Winner

Stills Ravi Winner

V. Rajaneethi Winner

T. Thavamani Winner

P. Raja Winner

C. Samudram Winner

Sujatha Sivaprasad Winner

Prakash M. Swami Winner

Edition 1 (2016)

M. Sasikumar Winner

M. S. Bhaskar Winner

Thambi Ramaiah Winner

Soori Winner

M. Shanmugam Winner

Srilekha Rajendran Winner

K. N. Kodandam Winner

Pavalar K. Guhanandam Winner

Dr. Nirmala Sundararajan Winner

S. Chandru Winner

P. Vijayagopal Winner

M. K. S. Natarajan Winner

S. Jayachandran Winner

Padma Shankar Winner

Jayanthi Ramachandra Winner

Rajeswari Sainath Winner

Sri Hari Winner

T. Rajagopalan Winner

Tarapuram C. Kalarani Winner

Nellai Sundararajan Winner

Edition 1 (2015)

Prabhu Deva Winner

Madhu Balaji Winner

A. K. P. Kathirvelu Winner

Shyamala Venkateswaran Winner

A. Vadivelan Winner

Dr. R. Hemalatha Winner

Tiruvallur Vaidyanathan Winner

Geetha Krishnamurthy Winner

T. P. J. Selvarathnam Winner

M. Mayilswami Winner

Sarayusai Winner

J. Suryanarayanamurthy Winner

A. N. Pavitran Winner

Vijay Antony Winner

R. Rathinavelu Winner

Gaana Bala Winner

Bharathi Thirumagan Winner

S. Andrews Winner

Sudha Winner

Edition 1 (2014)

Karthi Winner

Saravanan Winner

M. S. Subramanian Winner

U. M. Kannan Winner

Thanjai P. K. Selvam Winner

Ponvannan Winner

Aikkan Winner

Dr. R V Kamalakannan Winner

M. Thirunavakkarasu Winner

Meera Nathan Winner

R Vijayalakshmi Winner

R Chitra Winner

P. V. Balasai Winner

K. S. Senthilkumaran Winner

Shanthi Senthilkumaran Winner

Pandanallur S. Pandian Winner

Suresh Krishna Winner

Malathi Winner

N. A. Tara Winner

A. V. Jayaram Winner

News Ananthan Winner

K. A. Satyabalan Winner

Edition 1 (2013)

Prasanna Venkatesan Winner

Nalini Winner

Kanchana Winner

Sarada Winner

C. V. Chandramohan Winner

R. Pandiarajan Winner

T. P. Gajendran Winner

Dr. Bala Ramani Winner

Dr. T. K. Subramanian Winner

R. Krishnaraj Winner

Dr. Shuba Ganesan Winner

Sugantha Kalamegham Winner

P. G. Venkatesh Winner

Rashmi Menon Winner

Judo K. K. Rathnam Winner

T. Velmurugan Winner

Paravai Muniyamma Winner

M. Somasundaram Winner

K. Thirugnanam Winner

Edition 1 (2012)

S. S. Senbagamuthu Winner

Rajasree Winner

P. R. Varalakshmi Winner

N. Mahalingam Winner

N. S. Parvathy Winner

Vasuki Kannappan Winner

Ilakkiyavithi Iniyavan Winner

Tamizharuvi M. P. Ramalingam Winner

S. R. Ashok Kumar Winner

A. Subbulakshmi Ganapathy Winner

Maharajapuram Santhanam Ramachandran Winner

Dr. Mahanathi Shobana Vignesh Winner

Mudikondan S. N. Ramesh Winner

T. Ravichandramohan Winner

P. V. Thirumoorthy Winner

A. V. Ayyavu Winner

R. M. Deenadayalu Winner

Udayalur K. Kalyanaraman Winner

M. U. Premkumar Winner

Vishaka Hari Winner

Anita Guha Winner

Bala Devi Chandrashekar Winner

Revathy Ramachandran Winner

R. Mahalingam Winner

S. Ulaganathan Winner

Chitra Lakshmanan Winner

N. V. Anandakrishnan Winner

N. Sivajirao Winner

S. Yogalingam Winner

Edition 1 (2011)

R. Rajashekar Winner

Kutti Padmini Winner

P. Rajasekar Winner

T. Venkatraman Winner

P. Pandu Winner

M. S. P. Kalaimani Winner

Keezhambur S. Shankarasubramaniyan Winner

Kovi Manishekaran Winner

Lena Tamizhvannan Winner

Dr. Tiruppur Krishnan Winner

C. Ramaswami Winner

Neyveli R. Santhanagopalan Winner

Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi Winner

Cherthala R. Ananthakrishnan Winner

Prapancham S. Balakrishnan Winner

T. E. Pazhaniswami Winner

Kovilur K. V. Pazhanivel Winner

Pallatam S. Venkataraman Rao Winner

Janardhan Mitta Winner

Abaswaram Ramji Winner

Radhika Surajit Winner

Dr. Lakshmi Ramalakshmi Winner

K. Suryashree Winner

Puliyur Roja Winner

B. S. Sasirekha Winner

P. Kasi Winner

Harikesanallur Venkatraman Winner

Kunniyur R. Kalyanasundaram Winner

A. Rajakili Winner

Edition 1 (2010)

Anushka Shetty Winner

Tamannaah Bhatia Winner

Arya Winner

Kalyani Menon Winner

T. V. Gopalakrishnan Winner

K. N. Shashikiran Winner

Rajhesh Vaidhya Winner

Tiruvarur Swaminathan Winner

Tamizhannal Winner

Prasanna Ramaswamy Winner

Dindigul I. Leoni Winner

Mangaiyarkkarasi Winner

S. Sathyaseelan Winner

Edition 1 (2009)

Vineeth Radhakrishnan Winner

Vadivukkarasi Winner

Asin Thottumkal Winner

Nayanthara Winner

Meera Jasmine Winner

B. Saroja Devi Winner

Devipriya Winner

N. Srinivasan Winner

P. Krishnamurthy Winner

Aishwarya Rajinikanth Winner

Sangeetha Kapilan Winner

Cheran Winner

Sundar C Winner

Embar Kannan Winner

Harris Jayaraj Winner

Maharajapuram Srinivasan Winner

Anandan Sivamani Winner

Thalachangadu T. M. Ramanathan Winner

A. Madhavan Winner

Thirumurugan Winner

Edition 1 (2006)

Ravi Mohan Winner

Navya Nair Winner

Trisha Krishnan Winner

Vishal Krishna Reddy Winner

Silambarasan Tesingu Rajendar Winner

Jiiva Winner

Edition 1 (2005)

Suriya Winner

Jyothika Winner

Vadivelu Winner

Gnanam Balasubramanian Winner

G. Gnanasambandan Winner

Silambarasan Winner

Hariharan Winner

Anuradha Sriram Winner

Vamanan Winner

Leela Samson Winner

Edition 1 (2004)

Vikram Winner

Sneha Winner

C. R. Saraswathi Winner

Vasudevan Peethambaram Winner

Gopika Varma Winner

Edition 1 (2003)

Prakash Raj Winner

Simran Winner

Kanaka Winner

Vivek Winner

L. Vaidyanathan Winner

Gajapathy Winner

Nanjil P. T. Sami Winner

K. R. Rathinam Winner

S. Soundappan Winner

Sulochana Pattabhiraman Winner

Nagai Muralidharan Winner

S. Ravindaran Winner

Mannargudi A. Eswaran Winner

R. Raman Winner

H. Ramakrishnan Winner

Mannargudi M. S. K. Sankaranarayanan Winner

Denkanikotta Mani Winner

Purisai Arunagiri Winner

Thanjavur Rajalakshmi Winner

G. Lakshmi Rajam Winner

K. S. R. Aniruddha Winner

Ramya Ramanarayan Winner

Thenmozhi Rajendran Winner

S. Sivasankaran Pillai Winner

Rocket Ramanathan Winner

S. Parthasarathi Winner

Edition 1 (2002)

Vijaya Shanthi Winner

Vinu Chakravarthy Winner

Goundamani Winner

Senthil Winner

S. M. S. Vasanth Winner

K. G. 'Typist' Gopu Winner

Kovai Anuradha Winner

K. S. Krishnan Winner

Koothapiran Winner

L. P. Karu Ramanathan Chettiar Winner

Ponnadiyan Winner

T. S. Narayanasamy Winner

Meera Sivaramakrishnan Winner

Ramani Winner

Vaikkom R. Gopalakrishnan Winner

S. Venkataraman Winner

T. S. Vasudeva Rao Winner

A. C. Jayaraman Winner

S. Kasim Winner

Vazhuvur R. Manickavinayakam Winner

Kovai Natarajan Winner

Dr. S. Sunder Winner

Krishnaveni Lakshmanan Winner

Ananda Shankar Jayant Winner

C. V. Chandrasekhar Winner

Mannargudi N. Sakthivadivel Winner

C. P. Venkatesan Winner

Yogam Santhanam Winner

Melattur S. Kumar Winner

Sarangapani Winner

P. A. Subbulakshmi Palaamadai Winner

Edition 1 (2001)

Vijayakanth Winner

Murali Winner

Rekha Harris Winner

Gundu Kalyanam Winner

T. K. Pugazhendi Winner

A. P. Komala Winner

Radhu S. Radhakrishnan Winner

T. K. S. Karuppaiah Winner

Periyar Rajavelu Winner

V. Brinda Winner

M.R. Gurusamy Winner

Shashank Subramanyam Winner

Vairamangalam Lakshmi Naryanan Winner

Manakkal S. Rangarajan Winner

M. A. Sundareswaran Winner

Madurai T. Srinivasan Winner

T. M. Krishnamurthy Winner

R. Kalyanaraman Winner

Rajalakshmi Narayanan Winner

Seetha Doraiswamy Winner

Adyar S. Jayaraman Winner

Thirunageswaram T. R. Govindarajan Winner

Valayapatti S. Malarvannan Winner

P. V. N. Nadhamani Winner

K. Somu Winner

Karandhai G. Damodaran Winner

Rathinasabapathy Desikar Winner

Udipi Lakshmi Narayanan Winner

M. V. Narasimhachari Winner

Vasanthalakshmi Narasimhachari Winner

Nellai D. Kannan Winner

T. K. Padmanabhan Winner

C. R. Radha Badhri Winner

A. Gunavathi Winner

V. Dakshinamurthy Winner

Edition 1 (2000)

Ajith Kumar Winner

Devayani Rajakumaran Winner

Nithyasree Mahadevan Winner

Swarnalatha Winner

Girija Ramaswamy Winner

Edition 1 (1999)

Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala Winner

Piraisudan Winner

Edition 1 (1998)

Prashanth Thiagarajan Winner

Meena Durairaj Winner

Vijay Winner

Napoleon Winner

Thangar Bachan Winner

Palani Bharathi Winner

Idumbavanam K.S. Kannan Winner

Priyadarshini Govind Winner

Edition 1 (1995)

P. Jayachandran Winner

K. S. Chithra (Krishnan Nair Shantakumari Chithra) Winner

Revathi Ramachandran Winner

Edition 1 (1994)

Arvind Swamy Winner

Khushbu Sundar Winner

Mani Ratnam Winner

A. R. Rahman Winner

Edition 1 (1993)

R. Sarathkumar Winner

Sukanya Winner

S. Ve. Shekher Winner

Kathadi Ramamurthy Winner

Delhi Ganesh Winner

T. P. Samikannu Winner

R. V. Udayakumar Winner

Swarnalatha Winner

Damal Krishnaswamy Pattammal Winner

Sudha Ragunathan Winner

P. Ganammal Winner

T. G. Subramaniam Winner

L. S. Ramamirtham Winner

Malavika Sarukkai Winner

Sundararaj Naidu Winner

Edition 1 (1992)

Revathi Winner

V. V. Subrahmanyam Winner

Edition 1 (1991)

Sukumari Winner

P. Leela Winner

Edition 1 (1988)

Ilaiyaraaja Winner

Edition 1 (1987)

Tiruchi Swaminathan Iyer Winner

Edition 1 (1986)

K. J. Yesudas Winner

S. Janaki Winner

Edition 1 (1984)

Rajinikanth Winner

Sabhapati Srinivas Winner

Edition 1 (1983)

P. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna Winner

Edition 1 (1981)

Madurai N. Krishnan Winner

S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Winner

Edition 1 (1980)

Sripriya Winner

Thanjavur R. Ramamoorthy Winner

Edition 1 (1979)

Vyjayanthimala Bali ゔぃじゃやんてぃまーら Winner

Manna Dey まんな・でい Winner

Edition 1 (1978)

Kamal Haasan かまる・はーさん Winner

Edition 1 (1977)

Srividya すりゔぃでぃや Winner

Edition 1 (1972)

J. Jayalalithaa じぇー・じゃやらりたー Winner

P・K・サバイヤーぴーけー・さばいやー Winner

Edition 1 (1971)

Madras A. Kannan まどらす・えー・かんなん Winner

G・N・ダンダパニ・アイヤーじーえぬ・だんだぱに・あいやー Winner

Edition 1 (1970)

M. S. Viswanathan えむえす・ゔぃしゅわなさん Winner

Edition 1 (1969)

Sowcar Janaki そうかー・じゃなき Winner

Edition 1 (1968)

K. A. Thangavelu けー・えー・たんがべる Winner

K・S・ナラヤナスワミけー・えす・ならやなすわみ Winner

Edition 1 (1962)

Sivaji Ganesan しゔぁじ・がねーさん Winner

Edition 1 (1958)

Padmini Ramachandran ぱどみに Winner