The Tamil Nadu government will confer the Thagaisal Thamizhar Award on former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president [2006-08] M. Krishnasamy, 86, on Independence Day on Saturday, sources said. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will present the award to Mr. Krishnasamy.

Hailing from a political family, Mr. Krishnasamy represented the erstwhile Vandavasi Lok Sabha constituency from 1991 to 1996 and the Arani Lok Sabha constituency from 2009 to 2014. He holds a degree in law.

Mr. Krishnasamy is the son-in-law of K. Vinayagam, a former Congress MLA from Tiruttani, who had also served as Congress Legislature Party Leader. His son, M. K. Vishnu Prasad, represented the Arani Lok Sabha constituency from 2019 to 2024 and now represents the Cuddalore Lok Sabha constituency. His daughter, Sowmya Anbumani (Dharmapuri MLA) is married to Pattali Makkal Katchi president Anbumani Ramadoss.

In 2021, the State government instituted the Thagaisal Thamizhar Award to honour eminent personalities who have made significant contributions to the welfare of Tamil Nadu and the development of the Tamil community. The award carries a cash prize of ₹10 lakh and a citation.

It was first conferred on veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader N. Sankaraiah in 2021, followed by veteran CPI leader R. Nallakannu in 2022, Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani in 2023, former Congress president Kumari Ananthan in 2024 and Indian Union Muslim League national president K. M. Khader Mohideen in 2025.

Published - August 15, 2026 12:31 am IST