'Kalaimamani' is an award for excellence in the arts given by the government of which state?

Explanation

The Kalaimamani is the highest award for the arts given by the Government of Tamil Nadu. It is presented by the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram, the state's academy for literature, music and drama, to honour artists for their contribution to the arts and culture of the state.

The word "Kalaimamani" means "great gem of the arts" in Tamil. The award is given every year to a large number of artists in many fields, such as Carnatic music, Bharatanatyam and other classical and folk dances, drama, film, literature, poetry, painting, the nadaswaram and thavil, and other traditional arts. Its recipients have included great musicians, dancers, film actors, singers and writers, and it is regarded as one of the most important honours an artist can receive in Tamil Nadu.

The name of the academy, Eyal Isai Nataka Manram, refers to the three traditional branches of Tamil art: "Iyal" (literature and poetry), "Isai" (music) and "Nadagam" (drama). This classification is very old in Tamil culture, and the Tamil language itself is often described as "Muthamizh" (three-fold Tamil) because of it.

Many states have their own highest honours. For example, the Karnataka Ratna is the highest civilian award of Karnataka, and the Maharashtra Bhushan is the highest civilian award of Maharashtra. In the field of music and dance, the national honours include the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Fellowship, given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. The Madras Music Academy gives the Sangita Kalanidhi, one of the highest honours in Carnatic music.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Kerala is known for awards such as the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, its highest literary honour.
• ✗Karnataka gives the Karnataka Ratna, its highest civilian honour.
• ✗Andhra Pradesh has its own state awards for the arts.
• ✗None of them gives the Kalaimamani.