Indian Honours and Awards

Akilan was the first Tamilian to receive the Jnanpith Award (1975) for his novel 'Chithirapavayam' (Puppet of Destiny). Jayakanthan was the second Tamil recipient (2002). The other writers listed (T. Janaki Raman, Puthumai Pithan, Bharathidasan) were eminent but did not receive this award.

The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian award, conferred for exceptional service in any field. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam received this honour in 1997 for his contributions to scientific research and aerospace engineering. The Padma awards (Vibhushan and Bhushan) are lower in precedence, while the Arjuna Award is for sporting excellence.

This question refers to National Film Awards in India. Kamal Haasan has won multiple National Awards, lyricist Pa. Vijay and singer Chitra have also received National Awards. Vaali (the legendary Tamil lyricist) did not receive a National Film Award during his distinguished career, though he won numerous other honors including Tamil Nadu State Awards and Filmfare Awards.

Mohamed ElBaradei received the 2008 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for his work as Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and his efforts in nuclear non-proliferation. The prize recognizes contributions to peace, disarmament, and development - areas where ElBaradei made significant global impact, including his earlier Nobel Peace Prize.

Rahul Dravid was awarded the Padma Shri award by the Government of India in 2004. This prestigious civilian honor recognized his outstanding contributions to Indian cricket and his achievements as one of the country's greatest batsmen.

Lyricist Vairamuthu has won 5 National Film Awards for Best Lyrics across different years for films like Anjali, Roja, Bombay, Minsara Kanavu, and Kannathil Muthamittal. He is one of the most decorated lyricists in Indian cinema with numerous other awards to his credit.

Sachin Tendulkar received the Arjuna Award in 1994, which was his first major national recognition. The Padma Shri came later in 1999, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 1997-98 (he was the first recipient), and Padma Vibhushan in 2008.

Amitabh Bachchan was the first recipient of the IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000, recognizing his monumental contribution to Indian cinema over decades. The award acknowledged his iconic status and transformative impact on Bollywood. Dev Anand, Yash Chopra, and Dilip Kumar received this honor in later years.

Gulzar won the Filmfare Award for Best Documentary in 1990 for his documentary film 'Lakshmanrekha'. This was indeed a different category from his usual wins in lyrics, dialogue, and screenplay, showcasing his versatility across different mediums of filmmaking.

C.V. Raman was the first Indian to receive both the Bharat Ratna (1954) and the Nobel Prize in Physics (1930) for his discovery of the Raman Effect. He discovered that when light passes through a transparent medium, some of the scattered light changes wavelength - a phenomenon fundamental to molecular spectroscopy. His work established optics research in India.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1997, India's highest civilian honor. The Padma awards (Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan) are also prestigious but rank below the Bharat Ratna. The Arjuna Award is specifically for sporting excellence. Kalam received the Bharat Ratna for his contributions to scientific research and modern defense technology.

The Borlaug Award is named after Norman Borlaug, the Nobel Peace Prize winner known as the 'father of the Green Revolution' for his work in agricultural productivity. It honors individuals who have made significant contributions to improving global food security and agricultural development.

SP Jananathan received the National Film Award for Best Screenplay for Iyarkkai (2010). Kamal Haasan is a legendary actor-writer but not specifically awarded for screenplay in this context. SP Muthuraman and Mu. Kalanjiam are not primarily known for National Award screenplays.

Lata Mangeshkar was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001, becoming the first and only playback singer to receive India's highest civilian honour. Her contribution to Indian music over seven decades made her a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.