New Delhi: “My school taught me the alphabet, while poverty gave me the light of wisdom. Together, they made me a servant of literature,” Tamil poet R Vairamuthu said Monday as he received the 60th Jnanpith Award for 2025, India’s highest literary honour.Speaking in Tamil, with the essence of his address subsequently presented in Hindi, Vairamuthu delivered an animated and impassioned speech, with his words accompanied by emphatic gestures as he made his points. Reflecting on five decades of literary pursuit, he offered a striking metaphor for the honour. “The 60th Jnanpith has, as if, gifted me a vial containing 60 grams of amrit. But this amrit is not mine alone, it belongs to all the great literary figures who came before me,” he said.The 73-year-old litterateur was presented the award by former Union minister and scholar Karan Singh at a ceremony held at the Chinmaya Mission auditorium on Lodhi Road. The occasion coincided with Vairamuthu’s birthday, adding another layer of significance to the evening. Also present on the stage were Sahu Akhilesh Jain, managing trustee of Bharatiya Jnanpith; Dr Pratibha Ray, selection board chairperson; Mudit Jain, trustee; and RN Tewari, general manager, Bharatiya Jnanpith.Vairamuthu placed four questions at the heart of literature’s future — how to cultivate a culture of reading among younger generations, secure global recognition for Indian literature, preserve mother tongues in the technological age, and connect literature more powerfully with society and everyday life.His speech repeatedly returned to the struggles that shaped him as a writer. Born into a small farming family, Vairamuthu recalled the pain of seeing his village submerged and spoke of a childhood marked by poverty, displacement and hardship. Yet, he said, these very experiences kindled the light of poetry within him.Vairamuthu has produced an extensive body of work spanning novels and poetry. His novel ‘Kallikkattu Ithikasam’, which won Sahitya Akademi Award in 2003, is among his best-known works. He has also won National Award for Best Lyrics seven times. Other prominent novels include ‘Karuvachi Kaaviyam’, ‘Moondram Ulaga Por’, ‘Thanneer Desam’ and ‘Sigaramgalai Nokki’. His major poetry collections include ‘Vaikarai Megangal’, ‘Thiruthi Ezhuthiya Theerpugal’, ‘Innoru Desiya Geetham’ and ‘Vairamuthu Kavithaikal’. His works have also been translated into several international languages.Singh placed the honour in the larger context of India’s linguistic and cultural diversity. Describing Tamil as a “beautiful language”, he said the state held a special place in his heart. “As a Shiva bhakta, I have a deep connection with its magnificent temples, some of the most beautiful in the world,” he said, adding that Bharatanatyam is another extraordinary gift from Tamil Nadu. Recalling his nine years as chairman of Jnanpith, Singh said the role had brought him into contact with literature across Indian languages.Speaking about Vairamuthu’s literary contribution, Mudit Jain said, “His poetry, novels and lyrics have given profound expression to human struggles, nature and displacement, social justice and the deepest human emotions.”Ray said, “His words possess a rare quality: they are deeply rooted in the soil of Tamil culture, yet they speak to universal human experiences.” Tewari gave the vote of thanks.Jnanpith awardees receive a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh, a citation plaque and a bronze replica of the Hindu goddess of knowledge and wisdom, Vagdevi.