Q. With reference to the celebration of Tamil poet Pavendhar Bharathidasan’s legacy, consider the following statements:
  1. The Tamil Nadu government will celebrate Bharathidasan’s birth anniversary as part of ‘Tamil Week’ from April 29 to May 5, 2025.
  2. Bharathidasan was mentored by Periyar E. V. Ramasamy during the early part of his career.
  3. Bharathidasan was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award during his lifetime.
  4. A new award titled ‘Bharathidasan Ilam Padaipaalar’ will be conferred upon young Tamil writers and poets.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Answer: 1 and 4 only
Notes:
  1. Statement 1 is correct: CM M.K. Stalin announced that Bharathidasan’s birth anniversary will be celebrated during ‘Tamil Week’ (April 29 - May 5, 2025).
  2. Statement 2 is incorrect: Bharathidasan was mentored by Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi, not Periyar, though Periyar later honored him with the title ‘Puratchi Kavingyar’.
  3. Statement 3 is incorrect: Bharathidasan was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award posthumously, not during his lifetime.
  4. Statement 4 is correct: The 'Bharathidasan Ilam Padaipaalar' award will be instituted to honor young Tamil writers/poets.